Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Lawyer

As immigration attorneys who specialize in SIJS, we have many clients here in Marin County, the San Francisco Bay Area, and California who have qualified for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).

To learn more about SIJS, request an appointment with us.

SIJS is a way minors who are currently in the United States to adjust their status to that of Lawful Permanent Resident even if they have an unauthorized entry or unlawful presence in the U. S. In many other instances, that would have made them inadmissible to the U.S. and bar them from Adjustment of Status. Abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents is the key criterion for SIJS.

Some important things to note about SIJS:

  • It only applies to children already in the U.S.;

  • It’s ok if the children came to the U.S. via unlawful entry or unlawful presence;

  • It applies to children subject to state juvenile court proceedings related to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law;

  • The petition must be filed while the applicant is still a minor. It is ok that by the time the application is approved and Lawful Permanent Resident status is granted that the applicant may be an adult by that time.

Who is Eligible for SIJ?

To get a Green Card as a Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ), you need to meet several requirements. You must apply using the correct form (Form I-485), already be in the United States legally through inspection or parole, and still be in the U.S. when you apply. You must also be eligible for an immigrant visa, with one available for you at the time of your application and when a final decision is made. In addition, you cannot be blocked by certain immigration rules, you must be allowed to stay in the U.S. (or qualify for a waiver if not), and you must show that granting you a Green Card would be a fair and positive decision. As SIJS lawyers, we guide clients through each step of this process to make it as smooth and successful as possible.

Is There an age limit to apply for a Green Card as an SIJ?

There is no age limit to apply for a Green Card as a Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ). As long as you were under 21 when you properly filed your Form I-360, your SIJ-based Green Card application (Form I-485) will not be denied because of your age, even if you are over 21 by the time you apply or when your case is decided.

Is there anything that can prevent me from qualifying for SIJ?

Some people are not allowed to apply for a Green Card because of certain actions or immigration violations. One clear bar is if you are connected to terrorist-related activities—if that applies, you cannot get a Green Card, and there are no exceptions to this rule. As SIJS lawyers, we help clients understand their eligibility and whether any of these rules affect their case.

how to apply for SIJ

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) visas come from a special category called EB-4. If a visa is available and you are already in the United States, you can apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. You may apply at the same time as your SIJ petition, while it is still being reviewed, or after it has been approved. Visa availability depends on the government’s visa bulletin, which tells when visas are open. If you are in deportation proceedings, your case is usually handled by the immigration court. As SIJS lawyers, we guide clients step by step through the process of applying for SIJ and knowing the right time to file.

how do I apply for SIJ?

When applying for a Green Card, you’ll need to submit an application along with several supporting documents. These usually include proof that your immigration petition was filed or approved, recent passport-style photos, and copies of important identification such as your birth certificate, government ID, passport, or visa if you have them. You may also need to show records of when and how you entered the U.S., a medical exam form, and—if applicable—any police or court records. In some cases, additional documents like waivers or records of past visa status may also be required. In short, the process involves proving your identity, immigration history, health, and eligibility. As SIJS lawyers, we are experts at guiding our clients through each step of this process to make it as smooth as possible.

Can I include my family in SIJS?

If you receive a Green Card through Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, you cannot include family members as part of your application. However, once you have your Green Card, you may be able to petition for certain family members through regular family-based immigration. It’s important to know that getting a Green Card through SIJ does not give any immigration benefits to your natural or former adoptive parents—even if you later become a U.S. citizen. This rule applies even to parents who were not abusive. As SIJS lawyers, we help our clients understand these rules and plan the best path for their families.