Protect Your Future with Our Connecticut Immigration Lawyers

In some cases, children may be placed under the protection of a juvenile court if their parents have neglected, abandoned, or abused them. If Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) protection is given, the children may then be able to obtain a Green Card.

Am I Eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification?

It’s important to find a skilled Connecticut immigration attorney to walk you through this process and to help confirm whether the child in question is or is not eligible for this protection. One of the critical requirements outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that you must have a juvenile court order from a U.S. court confirming that you are a dependent and that you cannot be reunited with your parents due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar reason. It must also be confirmed that it would be detrimental for you to return to your country of origin or to be with your parents.

Additional criteria are as follows:

• You must be under 21 when the SIJ petition is filed.
• You must be living in the United States (cannot apply from outside the country).
• You must not be currently married.
• You must be eligible for USCIS consent.
• This court order must not have been pursued with immigration primarily in mind.

Lastly, you must also have written consent from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) if you are presently in HHS custody and if this order of protection would change your placement or custody status.

How Long Does It Take?

Generally, USCIS makes a decision concerning SIJ petitions within six months or 180 days from the filing date. If USCIS needs more information or evidence to establish eligibility, then they will pause the clock until a response is received.

How Do I Know If My Petition Is Approved or Denied?

If your SIJ petition is approved, you will receive an approval notice. If it is denied, a written decision will be sent to you outlining the reasons for the denial and then outlining how you can appeal the decision.

Contact the Law Offices of James A. Welcome

At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, our skilled Connecticut immigration attorneys have the experience necessary to help you and your loved ones pursue a better future. Our founding attorney has been selected to Super Lawyers® and is committed to maintaining a high standard of excellence in everything the firm does. You can count on us to be open and honest in our communication with you and personally involved in your case.