Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

SIJS – Federal Law Requirements

The Applicant:

  • Must be a child (under 21) when SIJ application is filed
  • Must be unmarried
  • Must be:
    • declared dependent by a juvenile court OR
    • committed to or in the custody of state agency or individual/entity appointed by state/juvenile court
  • Must be a finding that reunification with either or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under state law; and
  • Must be a finding that it is NOT in the child’s best interest to be returned to child’s or parents’ country of nationality/last habitual residence.