Family Court & Immigration Project - Why It Matters

Contact with the Family Courts

Contact with the Family Courts can lead to a range of POSITIVE immigration consequences.

  • The Federal government has assigned state family courts a role in the application process for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa).
  • While Family Court Judges have an important preliminary role, federal immigration authorities ultimately decide whether an individual is eligible for SIJS or a U Visa or any other forms of immigration benefits or relief from removal.

Contact with the Family Courts can lead to a range of ADVERSE immigration consequences.

Interaction with the Family Courts can lead to immigration consequences because some consequences are triggered by conduct or admission of conduct and DO NOT require conviction.