Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS)
A judge in the juvenile court must find that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The juvenile court must also determine that it is not in the child’s best interest to be returned to his or her home country. Upon the necessary orders being granted and issued a minor may file a Petition for Special Immigrant status with an Application for Adjustment of Status to lawful permanent residency. The process may be further complicated if the minor was detained at entry and is also in removal proceedings. It is important to behave with appropriate diligence if minor is 17 years or older as most state juvenile courts will only give a minor until the age of 18 to perform all the necessary steps. Maryland, however, has increased the age to 21. It is of important to consult an attorney as soon as possible so the SIJS process can commence and be completed in a timely manner.