SIJS (Juveniles)

SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)

There is a special petition for juveniles under immigration law. Foreign nationals under 21 years of age who have been abandoned, neglected, abused, or deserted by one or more of their parents can petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigrantion Services and receive permanent residence in this country. This process is not easy; it requires a court order from the family court maintaining jurisdiction over the juvenile's residence stating that the juvenile is a ward of the court. This order may then be used to petition immigration for resident status.