Offers a detailed explanation of the purpose and workings of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), the federal law that helps certain undocumented children in the state juvenile justice system obtain lawful immigration status in the United States. Child welfare workers get information about: (1) how to petition for SIJS and apply for permanent resident status on behalf of their clients; (2) dependency, juvenile delinquency, and other juvenile court proceedings; (3) issues related to adoption and eligibility for long-term foster care due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment; (4) documentation of age and juvenile court jurisdiction with respect to an applicant’s age; (5) revocation of juvenile status and grounds for deportation and inadmissibility; (6) risks and benefits of applying for and receiving special immigrant juvenile status; (7) steps, documents, and fees associated with the application and appeal process; (8) other ways that children can obtain lawful immigration status, including familyvisa petition, Violence Against Women Act petition, asylum and temporary protected status, and inherited or derived citizenship. Appendices contain such useful items as a sample court order and other papers that can be presented to a juvenile court judge, sample completed copies of Immigration and Naturalization Service forms, and relevant regulations.
