Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Protection-based immigration representation for minors seeking lawful permanent residence through SIJS.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

This practice area focuses on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for vulnerable minors who cannot reunify with one or both parents because of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law and who may qualify for immigration protection and lawful permanent residence.

State-court findings

SIJS cases usually begin with the necessary state-court findings addressing custody, reunification, and the child’s best interests.

Immigration filing

Once the predicate order is in place, the immigration portion focuses on the SIJS petition and the next available pathway to lawful permanent residence.

Coordinated strategy

These matters require careful coordination between family-court issues, immigration timing, and the child’s long-term protection goals.

Who this page is for

This page is for guardians, family members, and minors who need to evaluate whether SIJS may apply and what legal steps are needed to move forward safely and correctly.