SIJS – Challenges & Obstacles

Children testifying about traumatizing events
Translation difficulties
Personal process service that may impact certain non-citizen parents who are either located abroad or are hesitant to participate in the family court process due to immigration status or other immigration concerns
Parties are often located abroad or are afraid of participating
Limited written documentation (i.e. only newspaper articles, vital records)
Limited infrastructure in home country (Child protective agencies that are non-existent and/or unavailable)
Potential dangers facing child (retaliation against child or other family members)
Lack of funds to order foreign investigations and/or lack of persons or agencies capable of conducting foreign investigations
Pro bono counsel, assigned counsel, and pro se petitioners may not be familiar with the law or local court procedures