Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) is a program for undocumented immigrant minors who have suffered abuse, abandonment, or neglect by one or both parents that allows them to obtain a Green Card.
If you are a minor who has been abandoned, abused, or neglected by your parents, you may qualify for SIJ.
SIJ applicants must meet several criteria:
– Be under 21 years old (Some family courts may only issue a court order if you are under 18);
Age must be evidenced by testimony, birth certificate, or passport.
– Not be married;
You cannot be married at the time of filing. If you were married at a younger age but are no longer married due to death of spouse or divorce, you qualify.
– Be present in the US;
– You must be declared a dependent in family court. This means the Family Court must take jurisdiction over your petition;
– Reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, abandonment, neglect or similar grounds under your state’s law;
– Return to your country of nationality or country of last habitual residence is no longer in your best interest.
If you need help or advice, write to us in direct. We provide free consultations for people living in the US.
