What is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and Who Qualifies in Washington?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a unique form of immigration relief designed to protect children and young people who cannot safely return to the care of one or both parents. For many vulnerable youth, SIJS offers a pathway to lawful permanent residency—and with it, the chance at safety, stability, and opportunity in the United States.
At Yohana Valdez Law, we guide families in Washington through every step of the SIJS process, bridging the gap between family court proceedings and federal immigration filings.
Who Qualifies for SIJS?
To be eligible for SIJS, a child or young person must meet several requirements set by U.S. immigration law:
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Age: The applicant must be under 21 years old at the time of filing.
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Marital Status: The applicant must be unmarried.
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Parental Reunification: A state family or juvenile court must determine that reunification with one or both parents is not possible due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
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Best Interests: The court must also find that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their country of origin.