Offices in Miami, but representing clients in all 50 states and abroad.
Diego E., New Jersey
"Very knowledgeable and professional firm. 100% would recommend. Stephanie is very knowledgeable, communicative and on top of everything, reaching out to us when needed and explaining each step in detail. She was always available almost instantly whenever we had a question or concern about the case. We felt very assured with her practice. I had started the case on my own and made an error on a form I submitted, Stephanie took over and was able to correct everything I'd done wrong. The case was quickly approved despite my initial error."
Don't know where to start?
We hear it all the time.
Immigration is complicated. Maybe you're overwhelmed trying to research your options. You may have even tried the process on your own and realized that it's more than you expected, or submitted an application only to realize that there was an error on your petition or a missing piece that could delay your case.
That's where we come in.
We know mistakes can be costly and every day your case is pending is another moment of uncertainty. Imagine building a personal relationship with an attorney who truly supports you through every step of your immigration journey.
OUR ADDRESS
Email: info@montzcostelaw.com
Phone: 786-266-5790
Available by
Appointment:
Downtown Miami
66 West Flagler Street, Suite 900
Miami, FL 33130
Kendall
12855 SW 136 AVE, Suite 207
Miami, FL 33186
Complete the contact form to schedule a consultation:
CONTACT
US
OUR MISSION
I'Have you had an experience, maybe even with another lawyer, where you were paying for a service but frustrated because you didn't understand the steps forward or progress being made? Both of us practiced law independently before meeting while working for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Searching for fulfillment outside the corporate legal arena, we initially pursued teaching careers in underprivileged communities.
If you want to work with lawyers who uniquely understand how important it is to be educated about your options and treated with compassion, you're in the right place.
Through our immigration practice, we are thrilled that we have married our passion for the law with our desire and willingness to help others. As natives of Miami, Florida and children of immigrants, we understand that navigating the immigration system can be difficult and intimidating - that's why we are here to help you at every step in your achievement of the American Dream.
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OUR ATTORNEYS
Sophia Alexandra Montz was born and raised in Miami, Florida. As the daughter of a Brazilian mother from Rio de Janeiro, Sophia has always been passionate about helping individuals seek their American Dream.
Sophia graduated cum laude from the University of Miami with a double major in International Relations and History. She also graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was an editor of the University of Miami Law Review, a prestigious scholarly legal publication, and appointed as a Dean’s Fellow in both Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has been admitted to the Florida Bar since 2014.
SOPHIA A. MONTZ
PARTNER
STEPHANIE C. COSTE
PARTNER
Stephanie Chantelle Coste was born and raised in Miami, Florida to a Nicaraguan mother and Dominican father. Given her parents’ backgrounds, working hard and helping others were key values instilled in Stephanie from a very young age. Stephanie graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University with a major in International Relations with a concentration in Political Science and minors in both Psychology and Economics. She then graduated from Fordham Law School in New York, where she represented clients detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba through Fordham's International Justice Clinic and served as secretary of the Latin American Law Student Association.
Upon graduating from law school, Stephanie practiced law in New York for several years defending pharmaceutical and insurance companies. Although she found the work challenging and interesting, she felt her true calling was rooted in helping others. This prompted her involvement in several cases in New York assisting Salvadorian nationals seeking political asylum. After moving back to her hometown Miami, she continued to pursue this passion and practiced immigration law at a prestigious Miami law firm assisting clients with a range of legal services like family based petitions, humanitarian deferred actions, asylums, U-Visas, and Cuban Adjustments before opening her own law practice. Stephanie continues to work diligently to aid immigrants in pursuing their dream in this land of opportunity.
PRACTICE
AREAS
FAMILY-BASED PETITIONS
Let us use our experience to file your I-130, I-485, and all other necessary documentation so that your loved ones may adjust status or consular process as quickly as possible.
One of the most popular US immigration methods, family-based immigration lets U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents bring immediate relatives and extended family members (preference system) to the United States through a sponsor system. The requirements vary based on the sponsor's status in the eyes of the U.S. government (resident versus American citizen) as well as their relationship with the relative they wish to bring into the country.
Immediate relative petitions include U.S. citizens petitioning for spouses, U.S. citizens petitioning for unmarried children under the age of 21, and U.S. citizens who are over the age of 21 petitioning for their parents.
There is no wait time for immediate relatives as visas are available immediately after their I-130 family petition is approved.
If you are not an immediate relative, you fall under a preference category. Visa and green card availability for preference categories is set by priority date. Visa and green card availability and waiting times are also based on the country of the beneficiary.
CUBAN ADJUSTMENT
Cuban citizens have a unique position within the American immigration system. As Miami practitioners, we are deeply familiar with the complexities of Cuban Adjustment both before Immigration Court and USCIS.
The Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA) allows Cubans and their spouses and children to become permanent residents through adjustment of status. To qualify for Cuban adjustment as a principal applicant, one must be a native or citizen of Cuba; have been inspected, admitted or paroled; be physically present in the United States for more than one year; and be admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residency.
The parole requirement is often the most challenging. We frequently handle cases in which the Cuban citizen has received an I-220A or documents other than an I-94. Additionally, under the new humanitarian parole program for Cubans, friends and family in the United States may assist loved ones in Cuba in being granted parole, entering and working legally in the US, and applying for permanent residency after a year and a day.
U-VISA
The United States government recognizes that no one should hesitate to report a crime. We are proud to work with police agencies and USCIS to obtain residency for victims of crimes who cooperate with law enforcement in the pursuit of justice.
If you have been the victim of a crime within the United States, you may be eligible to become a legal permanent resident and ultimately a U.S. citizen via the U-Visa. The U-Visa requires that an immigrant be the victim of a qualifying crime and report the crime to the police. Crimes solely against property do not qualify.
The immigrant must obtain a copy of the police report and continue to cooperate with the police throughout the course of the investigation. Lastly, and most importantly, the police report must be signed by the certifying agency. You then have 6 months to submit the U-Visa paperwork to USCIS.
After receiving a bonafide determination, you can apply for a work permit. Due to the backlog and the annual U-Visa cap of 10,000, the U-Visa process may take several years.
ASYLUM
Asylum is a human right in which people who are persecuted in their own country apply for protection in the United States. We represent asylees both affirmatively before USCIS and defensively in Immigration Court, especially citizens of Nicaragua, Cuba, and the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras).
Asylum is a way to seek refuge in the United States when your home country is not safe. If you are eligible for asylum you may be permitted to remain in the United States. You may also include your spouse and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) who are in the United States on your application at the time you file or at any time until a final decision is made on your case.
While the asylum is pending, you may apply for a work permit allowing you to seek employment. The granting of asylum is within the sole discretion of an Immigration Judge or USCIS, and you will need experienced counsel to guide you through the strenuous application process.
NATURALIZATION
There is almost nothing more satisfying than seeing our clients achieve the American dream and become citizens of the United States. We can make filing your N-400 a stress-free experience.
Naturalization is the process by which current legal permanent residents become American citizens. In addition to waiting three or five years after getting your green card (unless you’re applying based on qualifying military service), you must also satisfy several other requirements, including being over the age of 18, maintaining physical presence during your three or five-year statutory period, being a resident of the state where you plan to apply, having good moral character, and passing a naturalization test.
Consulting with an attorney during the naturalization process is particularly critical if you have committed any crimes or had any other contact with the federal government or judicial system.
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