The Law Offices of Alice Antonovsky provides assistance with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status applications for undocumented minors who have been neglected or abandoned by their parents.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status,
Immigration Benefits for Abused Children
In 1990, the U.S. Congress created the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status to protect vulnerable children. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJ) is an immigration classification available to young immigrants under the age of 21 who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. SIJ is an option for young immigrants to apply for permanent residence.
Undocumented young people can obtain legal permanent residence in the United States. The process can be complicated, but it is a relatively quick route for eligible children to get a Green Card. To apply for the SIJ status, petitioners must complete form I-360.
To be eligible for the SIJ status, you must be under 21 years old and not married. Additionally, a juvenile court must declare the child to be a court dependent and the petitioner cannot be reunified with his or her parents.
Contact Our Team To Schedule A Confidential Consultation
3 Things You Need To Know About The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
1 What Is SIJS?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is a program established back in 1990 for young immigrants under 21 years of age that have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment from their families back in their home country. If your case is approved, you will be able to apply for a US Green Card.
2 You’ll need to:
Be living in the United States, have a valid juvenile court order issued by a state court and be a dependant of a state agency or department. You must also prove that you cannot be reunified with your parents, and that it is not in your best interest to go back to your country of origin.
3 How To Apply?
You will have to file a I-360 form, which can be filled out by you or your guardian. You cannot be married or get married while the application is being processed, otherwise it will be denied. Once you qualify for SIJS, your parents will not be able to apply for a residence permit in the US through you as a sponsor.
Benefits of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Obtaining a special immigrant juvenile status gives the child a lawful permanent resident status. This means that the child is able to live and work permanently in the United States, freely travel outside of the United States and get access to financial aid for college.
- The child is also eligible for certain public benefits and can be able to apply for US citizenship five years after becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- SIJ beneficiaries can remain in the United States legally and obtain the same benefits a permanent resident would. This includes lower education tuition fees than an international student and the right to work in the country.
SIJS FACTS
- In October of 2019, USCIS adapted multiple changes to the policy manual on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) petitions.
Source: Exclusive: For migrant youths claiming abuse,
U.S. protection can be elusive | Reuters
SIJS IMMIGRATION THROUGH THE YEARS
3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS
1 WHAT IS SIJS?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is a program established back in 1990 for young immigrants under 21 years of age that have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment from their families back in their home country. If your case is approved, you will be able to apply for a US Green Card.
2 YOU’LL NEED TO
Be living in the United States, have a valid juvenile court order issued by a state court and be a dependent of a state agency or department. You must also prove that you cannot be reunified with your parents, and that it is not in your best interest to go back to your country of origin.
3 HOW TO APPLY
You will have to file an I-360 form, which can be filled out by you or your guardian. You cannot be married or get married while the application is being processed, otherwise it will be denied. Once you qualify for SIJS, your parents will not be able to apply for a residence permit in the US through you as a sponsor.
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVINILE STATUS F.A.Q.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS?
To be eligible for the SIJS status, the applicant must be:
- Under 21 years old and not married.
- Living within the United States.
- Have a court order stating that the minor is either dependent on the court, in the custody of a state agency, or an individual or entity appointed by the court.
- The petitioner cannot be reunified with his or her parents.
IN WHAT LIVING CONDITIONS SHOULD AN SIJS APPLICANT BE?
- Within the welfare system
- In the custody of a federal agency due to their undocumented status.
- Living with a foster family.
- Living with the non-abusive custodial parent.
Are there SIJS eligibility exceptions?
If the minor is adopted or placed in a permanent guardianship, or aged out of the juvenile court’s jurisdiction, they can be considered exceptions. This means the applicant can proceed without having to prove a court order under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.
How To Apply for a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status?
You will have to file an I-360 form, which can be filled out by you or your guardian. You cannot be married or get married while the application is being processed, otherwise it will be denied. Once you qualify for SIJS, your parents will not be able to apply for a residence permit in the US through you as a sponsor. If you are ready to apply, or have any questions, call our office for a confidential consultation.
Our experienced team will HELP YOU DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR A SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS.
Applicants must be under 21, currently living in the United States, and possess a juvenile court order issued by a state court.
We will work with you to fill out ALL PAPERWORK AND SUBMIT YOUR SIJ APPLICATION.
CONTACT IMMIGRATIONEXPERT Attorney Alice Antonovskyfor:
• Family-Based Immigration
• Political Asylum
• National Interest Waiver Visa
• Family Reunification
• Special Programs and Treaties
• Waivers
• Employment-Based Permanent Residency
• Citizenship and Naturalization
Benefits of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Obtaining a special immigrant juvenile status gives the child a lawful permanent resident status. This means that the child is able to live and work permanently in the United States, freely travel outside of the United States and get access to financial aid for college.
- The child is also eligible for certain public benefits and can be able to apply for US citizenship five years after becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- SIJ beneficiaries can remain in the United States legally and obtain the same benefits a permanent resident would. This includes lower education tuition fees than an international student and the right to work in the country.
Go to our Immigration Resource Center
3 Things You Need to Know about THE SIJ STATUS
01
THE FORM I-360 CAN BE FILED BY EITHER THE CHILD OR GUARDIAN IN CUSTODY OF THE CHILD. If the child gets married before her I-360 is approved, the I-360 must be denied.
02
WHEN THE CHILD BECOMES A LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, her or his parents cannot receive lawful status through the child.
03
AS A POTENTIAL SIJ STATUS BENEFICIARY, THE CHILD DOES NOT NEED TO PROVE FINANCIAL RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Are You Eligible for Asylum in the US?
How to Determine Your Immigration Status
Everything You Need to Know About the TPS
Adriana Sanchez
As an illegal immigrant, I hired Alice Antonovsky to help me fix my migratory situation. I had followed some bad advice in the past and really wanted to come clean with immigration authorities. Ms. Antonovsky was very helpful and helped me understand there was still a chance for my family to stay together. Thank you!
Pat Rajender
I escaped a violent past from a very unstable family a few years ago. Coming to the United States was my survival option. Being here, I met people who helped me out in different ways. They advised me to get a professional assessment on my immigration situation. Luckily, I went to Alice for help and she did not disappoint. I can absolutely recommend her legal services.
José Hernandez
I contacted Alice Antonovsky when I needed help understanding my migratory status. She helped me find the most suitable program to apply for and I am now a legal permanent resident. Thank you for your help!
LATEST NEWS
Trump’s Immigrant Visas Suspension: What Does It Mean?
What it says! What it means! Who it Applies to! What lies ahead!
On April 22, 2020, President Trump announced that he is suspending the entry of certain individuals seeking to enter the United States. This suspension applies ONLY to individuals who:
EB-5 Program Extended to December 8th, 2017
As you may already know, we were expecting some changes to the EB-5 Visa program this September 30th, 2017. However, the U.S. Congress has recently released news that the EB-5 program will instead be extended until December 8th, 2017.
This extension does not come as a surprise since other developments like hurricane-relief and missile defense have been a priority for the U.S. Congress. That being… READ MORE >
Immigration Raids Targeting Undocumented Immigrants
The new executive orders issued by President Trump may be confusing and very upsetting to some of you.
This is a time of uncertainty and panic for undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Now it is more important than ever to
speak to an immigration attorney
if you are living here with no lawful status.
READ MORE >
Client Reviews
Send Us a Message
to get honest and reliable advice from Immigration Lawyer, Alice Antonovsky