Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

SIJS is a classification given to children who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused by one or both of their parents. The details of the mistreatment must be established by the family or juvenile courts, usually through a suit that alters the parent-child relationship.

Children who can prove that they are victims of abandonment, neglect or abuse can apply for SIJS, which may lead to legal permanent residency through a green card. Children who are in removal proceedings with the immigration court are still eligible for SIJS status and can protect themselves from removal using SIJS status.

Generally, to Qualify for SIJS, a Child Must:

• Be under 21 years of age at the time of filing the application
• Live in the United States
• Be unmarried
• Have a valid juvenile court order, issued by a state court in the US finding
  that:
  • The child is a dependent on the court, or in the custody of a state agency,
    department, individual or entity appointed by the court.
  • The child cannot be reunified with either or both of their parents due to one
    or more of the following:
    • Abuse
    • Abandonment
    • Neglect
    • A similar basis under state law.
    • It is not in the best interest of the child to be returned to their country of nationality or the last habitual residence of their parents.