Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Special Juvenile Immigration Status (SIJS) is an immigration status that allows undocumented minors who have suffered abuse, neglect, or abandonment by a parent or both parents, and who do not have the ability to reunite with one or both parents due to these circumstances, apply for permanent residence in the United States. SIJS was created to protect minors from abusive or unsafe situations in their home countries and allow them to establish a safe and stable life in the United States.
SIJS is a complex process and may require the involvement of the family court and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, if a minor is eligible and receives the Special Juvenile Status, they may receive significant benefits, such as the ability to work and live in the United States permanently, as well as apply for citizenship after a certain time.
It is important to note that although SIJS is an immigration status that can provide an opportunity for undocumented minors, not all children may be eligible. For this reason, it is essential to speak with an attorney with experience in immigration and/or family law to determine if SIJS is a viable option for a particular child.
Eligibility criteria:
The first step in the SIJS application is to determine if the minor is eligible for this immigration status. Some of the eligibility criteria include:
- Be under the age of 18 at the time of obtaining a court order that the child has been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents.
- Being single and not having married before the granting of the SIJS.
- Have been the victim of abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents.
- Not having the ability to reunite with one or both parents due to these circumstances.
SIJS Benefits:
SIJS can provide many benefits for undocumented minors, including:
- The ability to live and work in the United States permanently.
- Apply for citizenship after meeting certain requirements.
- Get certain government benefits, such as medical assistance and financial aid for education.
- Study at the university benefiting from resident fees, usually about half the non-resident fees paid by undocumented students.
- The ability to practice certain professions that are not allowed for the undocumented, such as being lawyers, doctors, or other high-income professionals.
If you or a loved one meet the requirements to apply for a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, contact us to begin the process now.
