Fort Myers Board of Immigration Appeals Attorney

Fighting Unfavorable Decisions on Your Behalf

The Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) – part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review – is the body that reviews decisions made by immigration judges. In some cases, the BIA also reviews decisions made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For example, if the USCIS has denied your I-130 family-based petition, you may appeal to the BIA.

Hurtado Immigration Law Firm can represent you before the Board of Immigration Appeals as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals. We have extensive experience handling appeals for a wide variety of immigration matters, both family- and employment-based.

Contact us at (239) 800-0580 today to schedule a consult with an experienced immigration attorney in Fort Myers.

The Board of Immigration Appeals is the highest administrative appellate body in U.S. immigration law. The BIA reviews decisions issued by immigration judges and certain decisions made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A BIA decision is the final administrative word in your case. If the Board rules against you, your next recourse is a federal circuit court — a process that is even more demanding.

The current window to file a BIA appeal is 30 days from an immigration judge's decision, but that standard is under active legal challenge. The federal government has pushed to cut that window to just 10 days, and while a court temporarily blocked that change, the regulatory landscape remains unsettled. Waiting is a risk you cannot afford to take.

What the BIA Can Review

The BIA hears a wide range of immigration matters, including:

• Appeals of removal orders issued by immigration judges 
• Denials of applications for cancellation of removal 
• Bond redetermination appeals 
• Denials of adjustment of status petitions 
• Certain USCIS denial decisions 
• Waiver denials arising from inadmissibility findings 

Appeals are not a do-over. The BIA reviews the existing record and the legal arguments your attorney presents. It does not hear new testimony or accept new evidence in most circumstances.

This means the quality of the brief your attorney writes, the legal errors identified, and the arguments constructed from the existing record are everything. Representation by a lawyer who knows how to build and argue a BIA brief is essential.

The BIA & Southwest Florida: Why Our Community Needs Experienced Advocacy

Fort Myers and the surrounding Southwest Florida region are home to a diverse and deeply rooted immigrant community. Families from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Haiti, and many other countries have built their lives here, contributing to local businesses, schools, and neighborhoods throughout Lee County and beyond. They are families, business owners, students, and individuals who have created stability for themselves and the people who depend on them.

When an immigration court issues a denial, the impact does not stop with one person. It reaches children, spouses, employers, and entire households.

The BIA process is often one of the last meaningful opportunities to protect what has been built. Hurtado Immigration Law Firm approaches that responsibility with the seriousness and care it demands.

Why Hurtado Immigration Law Firm: Trusted Immigration Advocacy in Southwest Florida

Attorney Pablo Hurtado founded Hurtado Immigration Law Firm in 2011 with a clear purpose: to guide immigrants through one of the most complex legal systems in the world with honesty, clarity, and genuine care.

• Focused Immigration Experience: Over 15 years dedicated exclusively to immigration law, with more than 5,000 successful case resolutions. 
• Personal Understanding of the System: Attorney Hurtado immigrated to the United States from Bolivia and became a U.S. citizen in 1996, bringing firsthand insight into what is at stake in every case. 
• Proven Legal Background: Former Assistant State Attorney with a law degree from Regent University School of Law and an MBA from Florida State University. 
• Recognized Professional Leadership: Active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and speaker for the Lee County Bar Association on immigration and criminal law.
• Trusted Media & Publication Presence: Featured on WINK News, NBC2, Fox 4, NPR, Univision, and Telemundo. Published on immigration issues in Lawyer Monthly and Res Gestae. 
• Top-rated Representation: Avvo Rating of 10.0 in immigration and recognition among top immigration attorneys in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida. 

These distinctions reflect a consistent commitment to handling every case with precision, professionalism, and individual attention.

What to Expect When You Work with Attorney Hurtado

From the first contact, the focus is on clarity, strategy, and execution.

• Clear case assessment: A straightforward explanation of your situation, available options, and realistic outcomes. 
• Comprehensive record review: Detailed analysis of the immigration judge’s decision and the full record of proceedings. 
• Strategic legal argument development: Identification of legal errors and construction of a focused, well-supported appellate brief. 
• Consistent communication: Regular updates and direct access to your case through a secure client portal. 
• Individualized attention: Every case is handled with the level of care and precision that high-stakes appellate work demands. 
• Bilingual support: Consultations available in both English and Spanish.

The Clock Is Running. We Are Ready to Help Immediately.

You currently have 30 days from an immigration judge's decision to file your BIA appeal, but the federal government has actively sought to reduce that window to 10 days. A court has partially blocked that rule for now, and other provisions that tighten the appeals process are already in effect. The legal environment is shifting, and no one should count on deadlines staying where they are. Acting immediately is the only responsible course.

If you have received an unfavorable immigration court decision — or if you are concerned that one may be coming — contact Hurtado Immigration Law Firm today. Our office is located at 4461 Camino Real Way, Fort Myers, FL 33966. We serve clients in Lee County, Charlotte County, Collier County, and around the world.

Schedule a Consultation Today

The sooner you can get started building your appeal, the better. Be sure to reach out to our team as soon as possible. We can start reviewing your case and uncovering evidence to form a strong appeal.

Call us at (239) 800-0580 or reach out online to schedule a consultation. Serving your family is our privilege.