How Long Does the SIJS Process Take? An Immigration Lawyer’s Perspective

Posted on June 10, 2025

If you’re helping a child apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: How long will this take? The truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The SIJS process involves several steps, each with its own timeline and set of challenges. Some cases...

The Impact of SIJS on U.S. Foster Care and Adoption Systems

Posted on May 12, 2025

When a child enters the U.S. alone, without the care of a parent, it can be difficult to know what happens next. Many of these children end up in foster care or under the guardianship of relatives. For some, there’s a legal path that can provide stability and hope for the future:...

The Impact of SIJS on Family Reunification: What Immigrant Families Should Know

Posted on February 17, 2025

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) offers a unique path for undocumented children who have faced abuse, neglect, or abandonment to secure legal status in the United States. This form of protection not only helps children find safety but also opens doors to a brighter future. By addressing the challenges they’ve faced, SIJS...

SIJS and DACA: How to Navigate Both Programs for Immigrant Minors

Posted on February 3, 2025

Every child deserves a sense of safety and belonging, regardless of their background or the challenges they’ve faced. For immigrant minors in the United States, programs like Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) offer opportunities for stability and protection. These programs are designed to safeguard vulnerable...

SIJS vs. Asylum: Choosing the Best Path for Immigrant Minors

Posted on January 2, 2025

Immigrant minors often face overwhelming challenges when seeking safety and stability in the United States. For many, their journey begins with difficult decisions, often made under the weight of fear and uncertainty. These young individuals may have endured unimaginable hardships, including abuse, neglect, or persecution, before finding their way here. U.S. immigration...

Understanding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): Who Qualifies and Why It Matters

Posted on October 10, 2024

For many children facing difficult situations, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) provides a lifeline to safety and stability in the U.S. SIJS offers legal protection and the opportunity to apply for a green card to those who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents. It’s a pathway toward...

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Path to a Green Card Through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Posted on July 8, 2024

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status provides a pathway to lawful permanent residency in the United States for certain noncitizen minors. These young individuals have undergone neglect, mistreatment, or abandonment and have been involved in state juvenile court proceedings because of these circumstances. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines eligibility for...

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The Process of Going to Family Court as a SIJ

Posted on June 7, 2024

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status allows unmarried individuals under the age of 21 who faced abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents to seek lawful permanent residency in the United States without their parents' involvement. The process of obtaining SIJ status involves going through the family court system, and...

How Long Does it Take to Get a Green Card as a Juvenile?

Posted on June 1, 2024

Are you a child seeking protection in the United States or a parent of a child needing a safe haven? Obtaining a green card as a juvenile can provide a pathway to stability, security, and a brighter future. However, the U.S. immigration system can be intimidating and confusing, especially when it comes...