Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas (SIJ)

If you are a young individual dealing with immigration concerns, things can certainly feel convoluted and confusing. Given the complexities of these matters, it is important to make your decisions with the oversight of an experienced professional. This will ensure that you have access to the options you need to resolve your situation with clarity and assurance.

What Is A Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa?

A Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa enables certain undocumented individuals to obtain a visa to the United States. This is available to young people who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents. This type of visa provides a way for immigrants under the age of 21 to apply for and eventually acquire lawful permanent residence in the United States.

A Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa waives an assortment of inadmissibility types that would otherwise stop an immigrant from obtaining lawful permanent residency. For instance, Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas have the ability to waive:

• Unlawful entry
• Employment without authorization
• Other immigration violations

Once a minor acquires a Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa, they will have the ability to modify their status to that of a legal permanent resident, receive work authorization, and ultimately apply for United States citizenship.

Wondering If You Qualify For A Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa?

There are very specific eligibility requirements to receive Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Understanding the intricacies of these conditions and the necessary legal proceedings is vital to the success of these immigration cases – as the procedures for Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas are elaborate and involved.

In order to qualify for an SIJ, the criteria are as follows:

• The applicant must be under 21 years old;
• They must be unmarried;
• They must be claimed as dependent in a juvenile court. In other words, the Family Court must assume jurisdiction over a petition addressing the needs of the individual;
• Reunification with one or both of the minor’s parents must no longer be a feasible option due to neglect, abuse, abandonment, or similar grounds under state law;
• It is not in the best interests of the individual to return to their country of origin or last habitual residence; AND
• Be eligible for USCIS consent.

With the assistance of a Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa lawyer, you will have the ability to determine your eligibility for these requirements, and the best course of action to take moving forward.

Are You Seeking A Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa?

The Law Offices of Patrick C. McGuinness, LLC will assist you in completing this process accurately and efficiently.

Getting familiar with the Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa process can drastically improve the outcome of your case. Understanding the methods behind this legal process will enable you to make decisions that directly benefit the future of your immigration status.

There are two stages involved in obtaining an SIJ Visa. First, the juvenile must participate in a proceeding in the Family or Surrogate’s Court in the county where they reside. As part of this process, the individual must acquire a “special findings order” that states the minor’s eligibility for the visa.

In the second stage, after obtaining this order from the Family or Surrogate’s Court, the individual can then apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service for an SIJ Visa.

During these legal proceedings, many documents and information must be provided on the minor’s behalf. Preparing for this process with a legal expert will ensure that the case is managed with precision and care. This will take the burden off of the minor’s shoulders and make certain that no mistakes are made that could jeopardize their case.

The Law Offices Of Patrick C. Mcguinness, LLC

Helping individuals receive SIJ Visas in Plainfield, New Jersey, and beyond.

If you are seeking a lawyer for Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas in the Plainfield, NJ area, look no further than The Law Offices of Patrick C. McGuinness. Our firm is highly experienced in this legal area, and we are equipped with the skills required to help you resolve your immigration issues with thoughtful consideration.

To learn more about our firm and our distinct approach to immigration law, please do not hesitate to contact our office for more information.