Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) allows certain undocumented children to become lawful permanent residents.
A child can apply for SIJS if all of the following criteria are met:
- The child is currently living in the United States.
- The child is unmarried and under 21 years old.
- A juvenile court declares the child a dependent of the court or places the child under the custody of a state agency, or individual appointed by the court;
- A court finds that reunification of the child with one or both of the child’s parents is not possible due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment or similar basis under state law;
- A court finds that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to his or her home country.
Notably, the child may still be eligible for SIJS even if the court finds that reunification with one parent may be possible.
To apply for SIJS, the child must submit Form I-360 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with the relevant necessary documentation. Once a child is granted SIJS, the foreign national can apply for permanent residency with US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).
An individual who obtained permanent residence through SIJS cannot petition for immigration for his or her natural parents or any prior adoptive parent.
Schedule A Free Consultation With An Immigration Lawyer
Wilson Law Group has advocated for countless undocumented children and helped them with obtaining immigration benefits, including SIJS. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact us by calling 612-430-8022 or by sending us an email through our website.
