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Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – How It Works

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a humanitarian immigration option for children under 21 who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by one or both parents. SIJS helps these children gain lawful permanent residency (a green card) in the U.S. We specialize in providing immigration help for minors who face difficult circumstances like abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

Who Qualifies?

  • Under 21 years old
  • Unmarried
  • Physically present in the U.S.
  • Only one parent is available in the U.S. or has custody OR no parents are in the US. If no parents are in the US, you must have a guardian candidate. This is someone the child lives with and this adult takes care of the child.
  • Reunification with the absent parent or both parents is not viable due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or if the parents refuse to provide support to this child.
  • Best interest of the child is to stay in the U.S.

Step-by-Step Process:

FAMILY COURT ORDER

We assist in petitioning the local Family Court for an order with the required SIJS findings:

  • The child is dependent on the Family Court
  • The child cannot reunify with one or both parents
  • It’s not in the child’s best interest to return to their home country

I-360 SIJS PETITION

After obtaining the Family Court order, we file Form I-360 (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant) with USCIS. This establishes SIJS eligibility.

Navigating the U.S. immigration system can be overwhelming. Immigration help for minors must be compassionate, informed, and effective.

I-360 SIJS PETITION APPROVED

The child will receive Deferred Action (legal status; the child is not deportable), and eligible for Employment Authorization

WAIT FOR PRIORITY DATE (CATEGORY EB-4)

Once I-360 is approved, the minor child must wait for their priority date under the fourth preference employment-based (EB-4) category to become current.

  • Current Wait time is 4.2 years

FILE I-485 – ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS

When the priority date becomes current [check 4th Employment Category in the Visa Bulletin in Chart B], we file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). This is to obtain the green card and file for Advance Parole travel document.

Legal pathways like SIJS exist to offer critical immigration help for minors. Juvenile immigrants deserve safety, stability, and a chance at a better future.

Why Choose Us?

At the Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C., we understand the trauma and complexity involved in these cases. Our experienced team handles your case with care, compassion, and precision.

Contact Us

📍 Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C., 2415 Avenue U, Suite 2R, Brooklyn, NY 11229
📞 (718) 769-6352
🌐 www.ShepelskyLaw.com
📧 info@shepelskylaw.com

We speak English, Ukrainian, Turkish, Russian, and more. Call us for a confidential consultation today!