• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Immigrants and State Courts

Immigrants and State Courts

The New York Family Court Act & Federal Immigration Law, Policy & Enforcement

  • Home
  • Legal Guides
        • Family Court & Immigration
        • Immigration Law Overview
        • Article 3 – Juvenile Delinquency
        • Article 4 – Child Support
        • Article 5 – Paternity
        • Article 8 – Family Offenses
        • Article 10 – Abuse & Neglect
        • Matrimonial & Integrated Domestic Violence
        • Orders of Protection
        • Contempt & Incarceration
        • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
        • U Nonimmigrant Status Certification
  • Search
  • Resources
  • Contributors
  • Modern Courts
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

SIJS – Family Court Judge’s Role

  • Federal U.S. immigration laws will recognize a Family Court judge’s authority to issue the special findings necessary for a juvenile to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).
  • While a family court judge’s special finding allows a juvenile to take a first step toward applying for SIJS, immigration officials are SOLELY responsible for deciding whether a juvenile is eligible for SIJS.

SIJS in NY Courts

Special Findings must be made by a state court judge.

  • Some of the proceedings where a motion for special findings can be heard include:
    • Article 10 Proceedings (Abuse & Neglect)
    • Voluntary Placement/Destitute Child Cases
    • Adoptions
    • Guardianship Proceedings
    • Custody/Support Proceedings (varies by judicial department)
    • PINS Proceedings
    • Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings
    • Family Offense Proceedings

Special Findings can be:

  • Entered at virtually any point in the proceeding as long as the threshold factual findings are made
  • Entered against one parent
  • Entered against a non-respondent parent
  • Made by a judge or referee
  • Form GF-42: Special Findings Order

Special Findings Applications

  • Procedure depends on particular judge and the type of proceeding, but can involve:
    • Presentation of written motions & legal memoranda
    • Oral testimony, affidavits, documents (birth certificates, death certificates, etc.)
    • Evaluation of court-ordered investigation and background checks
  • Representation:
    • By counsel of choice or assignment of Law Guardian/Attorney for the Child; see Family Court Act § 241.
Previous
Next

Primary Sidebar

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

  • SIJS – Family Court Judge’s Role
  • SIJS – Federal Law Requirements
  • Guidance on Guardianship Matters
  • SIJS – Special Findings Order Form GF-42
  • SIJS – Role of Special Findings
  • SIJS – Challenges & Obstacles
  • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Slide Presentation

Footer

sponsored by:

site by:

  • Legal Disclaimer

supported by:

Copyright © 2025

 

Loading Comments...