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.
SIJS Predicate Order cases are discrete matters that can be completed in as little as six weeks, depending on the complexity and type of case. This is a general timeline to assist pro bono teams in calendaring their case.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The End SIJS Backlog Coalition is a national group of directly impacted youth and allied advocates who aim to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of visa caps on vulnerable immigrant children.
SIJS Guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has jurisdiction over Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases. Once pro bono attorneys obtain the predicate order in state court, the applicant must file a petition with USCIS. It is important to prepare the client for their immigration petition.
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.
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.
SIJS Predicate Orders Based on Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) (Illinois)
SIJS predicate orders can be requested in several types of proceedings in Illinois. One is allocation of parental responsibilities (APR), formerly known as "custody," which is filed by a parent and can be part of a divorce proceeding or a stand-alone case. Please review NIJC’s recorded trainings and SIJS predicate order manual for more details on how to use the samples below.
A list of documents that should be provided to the court at least five business days prior to a prove up hearing for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases.
Affidavit of Due Diligence Efforts for Service by Publication (Cook County, Illinois) - for use in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) predicate order cases.
SIJS Predicate Order based on Guardianship (Illinois)
SIJS predicate orders can be requested in several types of proceedings in Illinois. One is through 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 Predicate Order for Post-18 Guardianship Cases (Illinois)
SIJS predicate orders can be requested in several types of proceedings in Illinois, including guardianship petitions for youth between the ages of 18 and 21 years old. Please review NIJC’s recorded trainings and SIJS predicate order manual for more details on how to use the samples below.
Sample petition for appointment of a guardian of a minor and motion for special findings, for use in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) post-18 cases in Illinois.
