Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
The Law Offices of Suzanne L Capriotti, LLC, has earned a reputation for fighting for the rights of immigrant children. Specifically, immigration protections are available to unmarried, foreign children under the age of 21 who have been abused, abandoned or neglected through a program called special immigrant juvenile status. However, the SIJS process is complicated.
Representing Immigrant Children In Family Law Court
The process does not begin in immigration court. Rather, a juvenile petitioning for SIJS relief must first obtain an order from a family law court that makes certain findings. The Family Court must appoint a guardian or a custodian and make certain special findings, including that the juvenile is a court dependent and cannot be reunited with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under Maryland State Law. The state court must also find that it is not in the best interest of the child to be returned to his or her country. After obtaining a state court order, you may submit a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for SIJS status. Once your juvenile visa is approved, you may then apply for a green card based on your SIJS status.
Gathering Evidence To support Your Immigration Case
At The Law Offices of Suzanne L Capriotti, LLC, we take the protection of immigrant children very seriously. That means that we will extensively document the basis for a child’s SIJS petition. The evidence that we gather for presentation in court may include a narrative of the child’s history, a report on the social conditions in the child’s home country, reports from child psychologists and other health professionals, and a declaration from the child.
There is never a guarantee in immigration law. Even among similarly situated individuals, slight factual differences might result in different outcomes. This is especially true when petitioning for special immigrant juvenile status. With your future at stake, you need an immigration attorney who has the experience and compassion to fight for your rights. Suzanne L. Capriotti is that attorney. Suzanne understands the advocacy needed to request SIJS status, and she is equally at home in family court or in immigration court.
Contact An Experienced Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa Attorney
Regardless of where you are located, The Law Offices of Suzanne L Capriotti, LLC can provide comprehensive answers to your questions about special immigrant juvenile status. To schedule a consultation, contact us online or call 240-720-7714.