Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is an immigration classification available to certain undocumented immigrants under the age of 21 who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or another similar basis, by one or both parents. SIJS is a way for immigrants to obtain legal permanent residence in the United States.
Someone under the age of 21 in the United States may be eligible for SIJS. In order to qualify for SIJS, you must show that you have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Examples of Abuse include physical harm, sexual trafficking; sexual abuse; an act of cruelty; bodily injury, history of abuse; domestic violence; criminal child abuse; child subjected to act(s) of cruelty by parent or guardian or someone in the household; or placing a person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury.
Examples of neglect includeconduct of a parent resulting in serious emotional damage (anxiety, aggression, depression); harm as a result of failure or inability to supervise or protect; neglect/cruel treatment; criminal child neglect; or abuse due to parent failure to protect.
Examples of abandonment, may include achild left with no provision for support (including death of parent(s)); child left in the care of one parent, with failure by the other parent to provide support for 1 year, or without communication from the other parent, with intent to abandon; child left without provision for reasonable and necessary care or supervision; or parent refuses to take custody.
If you are under 21 or know someone who is under 21 who is inside the United States, they may be eligible for SIJS even if they are living with one of their parents.
Contact Yekrangi & Associates Today
It may be difficult to determine whether a Motion to Reopen is right for you, let us help. For more information, contact the Orange County Immigration Attorneys at Yekrangi & Associates today. We will fight for you. Yekrangi & Associates works to meet a higher standard. Our first goal is your satisfaction. Contact us at (949) 478-4963 to schedule a consultation or complete our convenient “Get Your Consultation” form here. We are located in Irvine, California.