Undocumented children can adjust their legal status by petitioning for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). The SIJS program is designed to help immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by their parents or guardians. Under SIJS, undocumented children can obtain green cards so they can permanently live and work in the U.S.
To initiate the process, a court with jurisdiction over the undocumented child must issue a Special Findings order so that the child can apply for SJIS with USCIS. Most requests for the Special Findings order are the result of adoption or guardianship proceedings, but other juvenile proceedings might require a Special Findings determination as well. It is important to note that petitioning for SIJS is not the same as international adoption.
Qualifying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Courts must first determine that it’s not in the best interest of the child to return to their country of origin. The child must also meet the following requirements:
- Under the age of 21
- Unmarried
- Declared dependent in a juvenile court or legally placed with a state agency, a private agency, or a private person
Benefits of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Adjusting an undocumented child’s immigration status through the SIJS program will waive the following:
- Their unlawful entry into the U.S.
- Illegally working in the U.S.
- Their status as a public charge
- Certain immigration violations
Helping Clients in In NY Petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
At Musa-Obregon Law PC, we proudly serve clients who want to petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile status for an undocumented child. We can draft and file all of the necessary documents and makes sure you are prepared for what to expect from court proceedings. Our legal team knows firsthand how complicated it can be to secure SIJS, which is why we are here to use our extensive knowledge of the law to represent your best interests.
To request a case evaluation with our dedicated legal professionals, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (888) 502-8461 today.