Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) can offer a path to a green card for certain young people who cannot safely reunify with a parent because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. It involves both a state court and immigration steps.
How SIJS works
SIJS generally begins with specific findings from a state juvenile, family, or probate court, which then support the immigration petition. Timing is important because eligibility can turn on age, and processing rules have shifted.
How we help
We coordinate the state-court findings and the immigration petition, work carefully with the young person and their guardians, and keep an eye on the deadlines that matter. Se habla espanol.
Frequently asked questions
What is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a form of immigration protection for certain young people who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent and cannot safely reunify with that parent. It can lead to a green card, but it requires specific findings from a state court plus a separate immigration petition.
Who qualifies for SIJS?
SIJS may be available to young people who are unmarried, under a certain age, and who a state juvenile, family, or probate court has found cannot safely reunify with one or both parents because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Because age and timing rules are strict, a consultation can tell you whether you may qualify.
What court findings does SIJS require?
A state juvenile, family, or probate court must make specific findings, generally that the young person is dependent on the court or placed with someone, that reunification with a parent is not viable due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and that returning to the home country is not in the child’s best interest. These findings are the foundation of the immigration case.
Does SIJS lead to a green card?
Yes, SIJS is a path toward lawful permanent residence, though there can be a waiting period before a green card becomes available depending on demand and other factors. An attorney can explain the steps and the likely timeline for your situation.
How old can I be to apply for SIJS?
SIJS has age limits both for getting the required state court order and for filing the immigration petition, and these ages can differ by court, so acting early is important. If you are close to aging out, speak with an attorney right away so you do not lose the chance.
Do I need abuse from both parents for SIJS?
No. In many cases, a finding that reunification is not viable with even one parent because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect can be enough. A consultation can help you understand how your family circumstances may fit the requirements.
What is the difference between the state court case and the immigration case?
SIJS involves two steps: first, a state juvenile, family, or probate court makes the required protective findings, and second, an immigration petition is filed with the federal government based on those findings. Both steps must succeed, and they follow different rules and timelines.
Can I get a work permit through SIJS?
Young people with SIJS can often become eligible for work authorization at certain stages of the process, though the exact timing depends on their case and current rules. An attorney can explain when you may be able to apply.
Will applying for SIJS put me or my family at risk?
For many young people, SIJS is a protective process designed to help, and it focuses on the child’s safety rather than punishing the family. Still, every case is different, so a licensed attorney should review your situation before filing so you understand any risks; se habla espanol.
Can I apply for SIJS if I entered the U.S. without documents?
Yes, many SIJS applicants entered without inspection, and SIJS can provide a path forward that other options may not. A consultation can tell you how your entry history affects your case and what steps come next.
What happens if I turn 18 or 21 during my SIJS case?
Age is critical in SIJS because there are deadlines for the state court order and the immigration filing, and aging out can affect eligibility. If a birthday is approaching, contact an attorney immediately so nothing is missed.
Does SIJS require the parent who abused me to be involved?
SIJS is built around protecting the child, and the process does not require reunifying with or depending on the parent who caused the harm. An attorney can explain how the state court and immigration steps handle the parent’s role in your case.
How long does the SIJS process take?
SIJS involves multiple steps and can take a significant amount of time, including possible waiting periods before a green card is available. Because delays can affect young people nearing an age limit, starting early is important.
Can I be deported while my SIJS case is pending?
Having a pending or approved SIJS case can affect how immigration authorities treat your situation, and some applicants may receive certain protections during the process. If you are in removal proceedings, an attorney should coordinate your SIJS case with the court right away.
Do I need a lawyer for SIJS?
SIJS is one of the more complex forms of relief because it combines a state court case with a federal immigration petition, so having a licensed attorney or accredited representative is strongly recommended. Be cautious of a notary or “notario,” who is not allowed to give legal advice.
Can siblings apply for SIJS together?
Yes, more than one child in a family can pursue SIJS if each one independently meets the requirements and obtains the necessary court findings. A consultation can review each child’s circumstances and ages to plan the strongest approach.
What if I am already living with a relative or guardian?
Being placed with a relative, guardian, or other custodian is often part of the SIJS process, and the state court can make findings based on that arrangement. An attorney can explain how your current living situation fits the SIJS requirements.
Does SIJS affect whether I can help my parents immigrate later?
SIJS can carry limits on later sponsoring certain family members, especially the parent connected to the abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Because this is an important long-term consideration, discuss it with an attorney before deciding how to proceed.
What documents help support an SIJS case?
Helpful documents can include records of the court proceedings, proof of age and identity, and evidence relating to the abuse, abandonment, or neglect and the child’s circumstances. An attorney can give you a checklist tailored to both the state court case and the immigration petition.
Is SIJS only for children from certain countries?
No. SIJS is available to eligible young people regardless of their country of origin, as long as they meet the age, court-finding, and other requirements. A consultation can confirm whether your situation qualifies, and help is available in Spanish — se habla espanol.
What changes where you are
Everything above is federal and applies the same way in all three states. This is one of the few immigration topics where your state genuinely changes the answer — read the one that applies to you.
This is federal law — but where you are still matters
What is on this page applies the same way in every state. Which office and court handle your case, how detention works where you are, and how far local police cooperate with immigration enforcement are not the same across California, Arizona and New Mexico. Pick your state for that.