Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

✔ Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Eligibility Assessment

We conduct a comprehensive review to determine whether a child or youth may qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), including evaluation of:

• Age and marital status requirements

• Juvenile court jurisdiction under state law

• History of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis by one or both parents

• Best-interest considerations related to return to the child’s country of nationality

Early assessment is critical, as SIJS eligibility depends on timing and court jurisdiction.

​

✔ State Juvenile Court Proceedings

SIJS begins in state family or juvenile court, not with immigration authorities. We represent clients in obtaining a qualifying court order that includes all required SIJS findings, such as:

• Dependency, custody, or guardianship determinations

• Findings that reunification with one or both parents is not viable

• A determination that return to the home country is not in the child’s best interest

We ensure the court order complies with both state law and federal immigration requirements.

​

✔ Preparation and Filing of the SIJS Petition (Form I-360)

Once the juvenile court order is issued, we prepare and file the SIJS petition with USCIS, including:

• Form I-360, Petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile

• Supporting court orders and legal documentation

• Evidence demonstrating statutory eligibility and bona fide purpose

• Responses to USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFEs), if issued

​

✔ Adjustment of Status (Green Card Application)

If SIJS is approved and a visa is available, we assist with the adjustment of status process, including:

• Preparation and filing of the green card application

• Screening for admissibility and applicable exemptions

• Work authorization applications, when available

• Interview preparation, if required

SIJS applicants benefit from exemptions to certain grounds of inadmissibility, including unlawful entry and unlawful presence.

​

✔ Long-Term Immigration Strategy

SIJS has permanent legal consequences. We provide clear guidance regarding:

• The statutory bar on petitioning for parent(s) connected to SIJS findings

• Timing and aging-out concerns

• Future immigration options after lawful permanent residence

Our goal is to protect the child’s long-term immigration stability, not just immediate relief.