Children who arrived in this country as survivors of abuse from one or both parents should not be forced to return to their country of origin. To protect minors from having to return to a life involving physical or sexual abuse, the United States offers Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) as an option to keep them safe in this country.
To qualify for SIJS, you must:
A state court with jurisdiction over the juvenile, often a juvenile court, must issue the court order. The order should declare that the court, a state agency, or a court-appointed individual is responsible for the juvenile. It should also state that because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, the juvenile cannot reunite with one or both parents and that staying in their current country benefits the youth.
After a state court judge issues this order, the juvenile can apply for SIJS. Immigration officials usually respect the decisions of juvenile judges regarding the juvenile’s best interests. Once secured, SIJS offers a route to permanent residency status (a “green card”). After five years, if the juvenile desires, they can pursue U.S. citizenship.
The immigration attorneys of Palacios Law Group can help you or a minor in your care obtain SIJS and flee domestic violence or neglect. Our managing partner, Xavier A. Palacios, is one of New York’s leading immigration attorneys. We use our years of experience and the latest technology to deliver results for our clients.
Schedule a free consultation about SIJS today. Contact Palacios Law Group at (631)673-1000 to make an appointment. Our office is in Mineola, and we serve clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island.
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