Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a humanitarian immigration pathway available to certain children in the United States who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. SIJS provides eligible minors with protection and a path toward lawful permanent residence (a green card).

Who May Qualify for SIJS

To qualify for SIJS, an applicant must generally meet the following requirements:

• Be under 21 years of age and unmarried at the time of filing
• Be physically present in the United States
• Be subject to a juvenile court order issued by a state court
• The court must find that the child cannot reunify with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law
• The court must determine that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their country of nationality

SIJS eligibility is based on findings made by a state court, followed by a petition filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Benefits of SIJS

• Provides a pathway to lawful permanent residence (green card)
• Offers protection from removal (deportation)
• Allows the applicant to live and work lawfully in the United States
• Does not require sponsorship from a parent
  

Important Considerations

• SIJS applicants cannot petition for immigration benefits for their parents
• The process involves both state court proceedings and federal immigration filings
• Timing is critical, especially as the applicant approaches age 21 

Our Experience

At Sunrise Law, P.C., our SIJS practice is grounded in both legal expertise and firsthand advocacy for vulnerable children. The firm’s founder, Attorney Liu, previously served at a federally funded nonprofit organization, where she worked directly with unaccompanied minors. In that role, she regularly conducted on-site visits to shelters, providing legal assistance to children who had experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. She guided them through the SIJS process from initial case assessment to court findings and immigration filings.

This hands-on experience gives our firm a deep understanding of the unique legal and emotional complexities involved in SIJS cases. We approach each matter with both strategic precision and genuine care, ensuring that every child receives the protection and opportunity they deserve.