So far, we have covered nearly every aspect of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, from the purpose to the procedure and all the difficulties in between. But one role we have mostly left out is perhaps one of the most important: The role of your lawyer. It has been my privilege to guide dozens of children and young adults through the SIJS process, and I look forward to helping hundreds more. Having the right lawyer at your side through the process can have a significant impact on the resolution of your case – especially one who understands the situation, what is at stake, and how to achieve the best outcomes.
Our Firm Can Help You Navigate The SIJS Application Procedure And Its Challenges
We have been handling SIJS applications for the better part of a decade now, and we have done so in the courts of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and many other California counties. We are comfortable with these cases, the difficult topics involved, and the procedures needed to resolve them. Fortunately, our familiarity with the forms and declarations has brought us to the point where it is not difficult to prepare the application, even on a strict timeline.
We know how to help these applicants by getting as much information as possible, of exactly the right kind, to prepare for their hearing and send the necessary notices to the people who need them. Most importantly, though, we know how precious time is for these cases and how impactful the outcome can be in the lives of the people they’re for, and will work efficiently and effectively to see that they get their day in court.
The Role Immigration Attorneys And Advocates Play In Helping Minors Apply For SIJS Status And Protections
Being the attorney of a minor during their Special Immigrant Juvenile Status application means accompanying them at every stage along the way – from the first interviews to preparing the special immigrant application with the state court judge and onwards to the filing for the visa. And there is no feeling quite so rewarding as watching a client submit that final green card application (except perhaps the call when they actually receive it). This is made all the more important knowing that it might not be possible without our help, as the government sometimes seems to be doing everything possible to make obtaining these protections difficult.
The forms, for one thing, are very confusing. They are all at least 15 to 20 pages long, and they ask for a lot of detailed information. Of course, our firm has completed these forms so many times that it is far easier and far less time-consuming for us to prepare them – and we are much less likely to make a mistake which could cost a child their chance at SIJS visa approval. All in all, we take on the bureaucratic responsibilities so that the child can focus on what is important: telling their story and working toward a brighter future.
The Kinds Questions Child Victims Need To Answer During Our Interviews
The SIJS procedure always begins with a consultation. During this meeting, I will ask questions designed to help the child or young adult tell about what happened back in their home country. I will start simple, asking if both parents were around, and use that to move to tougher questions, such as if both parents were able to provide a nurturing and safe environment for them.
Other essential topics would include if the child was able to go to school, if they had access to decent and sufficient nutrition, and if the parents were good to the child. The whole meeting is designed to figure out if the parents raised the child in any inappropriate, abusive, or neglectful way. This leads to their declaration meeting, where we talk to the child for an hour or two and see what their story is, how they grew up, and then determine if the circumstances in which they were raised qualify them for special immigrant juvenile status.
Why Do SIJS Applications Get Denied
Despite our best efforts, not every case can be a success, but we do take pride in one thing: The main reason we see denials is when applications are filed after a child’s 21st birthday when, unfortunately, they are simply ineligible due to their age. Less commonly, it is possible that an SIJS application be denied if it is being obtained solely for immigration purposes.
Very rare are denials for lack of evidence of abuse or neglect; if both parents were involved in the child’s life and if they were providing a good life for the child, then there’s no SIJS application possible. In fact, it is incredibly rare for cases we handle to be denied for this because we won’t bother to push for a filing without sufficient reason. That is why a solid consultation and the child’s declaration are so important, because it makes clear the circumstances that they grew up in and outlines the evident abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
How And When To Appeal A Denied SIJS Application
While it is perfectly possible to appeal a denial at any stage along the process, sometimes there is simply no point in doing so. Take an age issue, for example. If the child applies for SIJS when they are 21 and five months old, then they are not going to be approved, no matter what. There is no point in appealing. But if the USCIS wrongly decides that there was no abuse or abandonment, then that is an appealable issue and certainly something we would be able to help guide you through, even if our firm wasn’t helping you with the original case.
A Final Word Of Advice For Any Victims Of Abuse And Those Who Wish To Help Them
If there is one thing I want any reader to walk away with, it is that there is always hope for a brighter future. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status remains far easier than asylum for eligible applicants to receive without the need to corroborate every little detail as one must when applying for asylum. The law is more lenient and more forgiving to the special circumstances of children. Even if a case doesn’t appear to be that strong to the applicant, the court might see it differently, and I might see it differently, so it’s important to talk about how the child grew up and their circumstances to see if they have a liable SIJS case.
Most importantly: Don’t give up – even and especially if life has been hard on you before arriving in the US. There may very well be a path toward a brighter future, and it would be our honor to help you along it.
For more information on Overcoming Obstacles To Juvenile Immigration, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (626) 900-1714 today.
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