Keep families together, prevent a neighbor's deportation, and protect people seeking safety.

A mother poses and smiles with her three young daughters and a family friend in the lobby of a law firm after winning asylum.

$50

Supports a month of secure phone calls with a lawyer

$100

Provides a legal consultation to keep a family together

$300

Screens 10 people for a workshop to apply for asylum

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Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Preparing a Predicate Order in IL

This page supports pro bono attorneys in preparing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) in Illinois.

02/26/24

Comprehensive overview of SIJS: Training & follow up materials

NIJC staff led a two-part training for attorneys and legal advocates giving a comprehensive overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), an important form of immigration relief for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent. Watch the trainings and get the accompanying resources and materials below.

Training for Attorneys: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (Part 1)

SIJS

Training for attorneys about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), an immigration relief for children who have been abused or abandoned. Experts give an overview & how to obtain predicate orders.

youtube.com/embed/9SMcKyacILc?si=V9YQzclRL8LytAgU

09/13/24

Training Webinars

Training for Attorneys: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (Part 2)

SIJS

Training for attorneys about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Part 2 reviews filing with USCIS, including Form I-360, deferred action, and adjustment of status to obtain a green card.

youtube.com/embed/ReHn82fX3S0

09/30/24

Training Webinars

Training for Attorneys Supplementary Slide Deck: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (Part 2)

SIJS

Training for attorneys about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), an immigration relief for children who have been abused or abandoned. Experts review the filing process with USCIS.

09/30/24

Annotated Form I-360, Edition 04/01/24

SIJS

This is a sample of an I-360 form.

09/30/24

Annotated Form I-485, Edition 08/28/24

SIJS

This is a sample of an I-485 form, used to apply to register for permanent residence, or adjust status.

09/30/24

SIJS: Predicate Order Pro Bono Case List

SIJS

This is a list of cases that are determined to be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, that are in need of pro bono representation.

09/30/24

Basic Procedural Manual for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Predicate Orders in Illinois

SIJS

This document is a brief guide to SIJS predicate order practice in Illinois.

10/01/24

NIJC Pro Bono Project: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is an important form of protection for immigrant youth who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent. NIJC has extensive resources and trainings on SIJS for families and advocates.

NIJC Pro Bono Project: SIJS

SIJS

An overview for pro bono attorneys of NIJC's Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) project.

04/24/23

SIJS: SIJS Fact Sheet for Families in English

SIJS

This document provides clients an overview of NIJC's SIJS program in English.

04/28/22

SIJS: SIJS Fact Sheet for Families in Spanish

SIJS

This document provides clients an overview of NIJC's SIJS program in Spanish.

04/28/22

SIJS: SIJS Path One-Pager

SIJS

This infographic provides an overview of an SIJS case's typical path to completion.

04/28/22

SIJS Training for Pro Bono Attorneys - Feb. 2024

SIJS

SIJS is a form of protection available to immigrant children who have suffered abuse, abandonment, or neglect by a parent. Participants will learn how to file these cases in different types of courts. This training was part of a pro bono clinic.

youtube.com/embed/SJZsB1ic8N4

03/13/24

Training Webinars

18+ SIJS One-Pager (Spanish)

SIJS

This is NIJC's 18+ SIJS One-Pager (Spanish).

02/27/24

18+ SIJS One-Pager

SIJS

This is NIJC's18+ SIJS One-Pager.

02/27/24

SIJS: Deferred Action Information

SIJS

This is NIJC's explainer for clients, regarding what happens once their deferred action is approved under SIJS.

02/27/24

SIJS: Deferred Action Information for SIJS Clients, (Spanish)

SIJS

Este documento proporciona información a los clientes sobre lo que sucede una vez que sea aprobado la acción diferida bajo SIJS.

02/27/24

For SIJS Clients: Take Action About the Backlog

SIJS

An initiative of the National Immigration Project, this is an invitation for individuals awaiting an SIJS determination to get involved in advocacy about case delays.

02/27/24

For SIJS Clients: Take Action About the Backlog (Spanish)

SIJS

An initiative of the National Immigration Project, this is an invitation for individuals awaiting an SIJS determination to get involved in advocacy about case delays.

02/27/24

SIJS: Guidance from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has jurisdiction over SIJS cases. Once pro bono attorneys obtain the predicate order in state court, the applicant must file a petitions with USCIS. It is important to prepare the client for their immigration petition.

SIJS: USCIS Information for Juvenile Courts

SIJS

This document provides an overview of juvenile courts in the United States.

04/28/22

SIJS: USCIS Policy Manual on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

SIJS

This link leads to a USCIS policy manual on SIJS.

www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-j

04/28/22

SIJS: USCIS Policy Manual on Adjustment of Status for SIJS

SIJS

This link leads to a USCIS policy manual on adjustment of status for SIJS recipients.

www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-7-part-f-chapter-7

04/28/22

SIJS: USCIS Announcement of Deferred Action for Special Immigrant Juveniles

SIJS

This link leads to a USCIS announcement about deferred action for Special Immigrant Juveniles.

www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-offer-deferred-action-for-special-immigrant-juveniles

04/28/22

Special Predicate Orders in Illinois

The first step in seeking SIJS is to obtain a “predicate order” from a qualifying state court. The resources below are intended to be used by pro bono advocates in connection with NIJC’s training and technical support programs.

SIJS: Illinois Laws Relating to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

SIJS

This document provides a short overview of Illinois laws related to SIJS.

03/30/23

SIJS: Illinois P.A. 102-0259 One-Pager

SIJS

This document details changes in Illinois law related to SIJS under Public Act 102-0259.

04/28/22

SIJS: Illinois P.A. 101-0121 One-Pager

SIJS

This document details changes in Illinois law related to SIJS under Public Act 101-0121.

04/28/22

SIJS: In re Parentage of Ervin C-R

SIJS

This is an appeal of an NIJC case arising out of DuPage County that clarifies the obligation of Illinois judges when considering SIJS cases.

04/28/22

SIJS: In re Estate of Nina L.

SIJS

This decision predates the 2019 and 2021 changes in Illinois law regarding SIJS but includes extensive analysis of the federal statute that may be useful.

04/28/22

SIJS Predicate Order based on Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR), IL

SIJS predicate orders can be requested in several types of proceedings in Illinois. The most common are allocation of parental responsibilities or “APR” (formerly known as custody), which is filed by a parent and can be part of a divorce proceeding or a stand-alone case; and guardianship, which is typically filed by a non-parent. Please review NIJC’s recorded trainings and SIJS Predicate Order Manual for more details on how to use the samples below.

SIJS: SIJS Predicate Order - APR Judgement

SIJS

This is a sample of a "Petition of Final Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Judgement."

02/27/24

SIJS: Sample Petition for APR, Cook County

SIJS

This is NIJC's sample of a "Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Request for Factual Findings."

02/27/24

SIJS Predicate Order Checklist for Pro Bono Attorneys - Custody

SIJS

This is NIJC's SIJS Predicate Order Checklist for Pro Bono Attorneys for APR Cases.

02/27/24

Sample Memo of Law In Support of SIJS Findings

SIJS

This is an NIJC Sample Memo of Law In Support of SIJS Findings.

02/27/24

SIJS Predicate Order based on Guardianship, IL

SIJS predicate orders can be requested in several types of proceedings in Illinois. The most common are allocation of parental responsibilities or “APR” (formerly known as custody), which is filed by a parent and can be part of a divorce proceeding or a stand-alone case; and guardianship, which is typically filed by a non-parent. Please review NIJC’s recorded trainings and SIJS Predicate Order Manual for more details on how to use the samples below.

Sample Petition for Guardianship Cook County SIJS

SIJS

This is NIJC's sample of a Cook County "Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor."

02/27/24

Sample Memo in Support of SIJS Findings Guardianship

SIJS

This is NIJC's sample memo in support of SIJS Findings Guardianship.

02/27/24

Sample Probate Guardianship Predicate Order

SIJS

This is NIJC's Sample Probate Guardianship Predicate Order.

02/27/24

SIJS Predicate Order Checklist for Pro Bono Attorneys - Guardianship

SIJS

This is a NIJC sample of a SIJS Predicate Order Checklist for Guardianship.

03/07/24

SIJS Predicate Order for Post-18 Guardianship Cases, IL

SIJS predicate orders can be requested in several types of proceedings in Illinois. Please review NIJC’s recorded trainings and SIJS Predicate Order Manual for more details on how to use the samples below.

SIJS: SIJS Predicate Order - POST-18 Guardianship

SIJS

This is a sample of an "Order Appointing Guardian of a Minor" (Post-18).

02/27/24

Sample Petition for Guardianship with Motion for SIJS Findings Post-18

SIJS

This is NIJC's Sample Petition for Guardianship with Motion for SIJS Findings Post-18.

02/27/24

Sample Consent of Minor to Post-18 Guardianship

SIJS

This is NIJC's Sample Consent of Minor to Post-18 Guardianship.

02/27/24

Sample Memo in Support of SIJS Post-18 Guardianship

SIJS

This is NIJC's Sample Memo in Support of SIJS Post-18 Guardianship.

02/27/24

SIJS Predicate Order Checklist for Pro Bono Attorneys - Guardianship

SIJS

This is a NIJC sample of a SIJS Predicate Order Checklist for Guardianship.

03/07/24

Tags SIJS