Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a powerful, yet complex immigration pathway created to protect undocumented children under 21 who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. Because these children often face instability, homelessness, or unsafe family situations, SIJS provides a humanitarian route toward lawful permanent residency, and eventually, a safe and secure future in the United States.

The SIJS process generally begins in state court, often in the probate or family court, where a judge must issue a custody-related order such as a guardianship, dependency order, or conservatorship. This step is critical. The court must make very specific findings, including that the child cannot reunify with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and that returning to their home country is not in their best interest. These judicial findings form the legal foundation of the SIJS petition.

Once these findings are complete, the next step is filing a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). SIJS cases require careful documentation, strict attention to detail, and thoughtful timing, especially when removal proceedings or age-out issues are involved. Mistakes in the probate stage or in the SIJS filing can delay or jeopardize a child’s ability to obtain a green card.

At Crimmigration Inc., we understand the sensitivity and urgency behind these cases. We work closely with children, caregivers, and courts to ensure all necessary findings are properly issued, all filings are accurate, and each child receives strong, compassionate advocacy. SIJS is not merely a legal process, it is often a child’s only chance at long-term safety, stability, and protection from deportation.

If your child, or a child in your care may qualify for SIJS, our firm is prepared to guide you through each step of this complicated but life-changing process with diligence, cultural awareness, and unwavering commitment.