Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Status

Special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) status was established by Congress as a form of immigration relief for certain vulnerable immigrant children who are in the United States without status. SIJ allows certain immigrant children the ability to obtain lawful permanent residency (green card) and eventually, citizenship.

Obtaining SIJs is a complex, two-part process requiring knowledge of Texas state law and federal immigration law.  The SIJ program is different from other types of visas in that it requires coordination with a state family or domestic relations court. Our attorneys at Law Office of John Nwosu can help children petition for this status, giving them a pathway to a new life in the United States free of abuse. With our knowledge in family law and immigration law, we can be there for every step, instead of making a child work with different attorneys.

A child may obtain SIJ status if:

• The child is under 21 years of age and unmarried
• The child is present in the United States
• The child has been declared dependent by a juvenile court or has been committed to the custody of a state agency, department, individual or entity
• The child has experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment
• Reunification with one or both parents is not viable
• Returning to the child’s home country may not be in their best interest
• The Secretary of Homeland Security consents to the grant of SIJ status

For an initial consultation with Law Office of John Nwosu regarding SIJ status, please select from one of the contact options below.