About Us

COO Law PLLC is a law firm that specializes in immigration law. We help people immigrate to the United States and other countries.

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Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

What is SIJS?

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is an immigration classification that provides certain undocumented children and youth in the United States with a pathway to lawful permanent residence (a green card) when they cannot be reunified with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar basis under state law.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be under 21 years old at time of filing (or per state age if older age cap exists).
  • Applicant must be unmarried.
  • A juvenile court must have found that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law.
  • The juvenile court must have issued an order making certain related findings, and the applicant must be under the jurisdiction of that court.

How COO Law PLLC Can Help

We guide clients through the SIJS process from start to finish, including:

  • Assessing the case and determining eligibility.
  • Coordinating with juvenile court attorneys and child welfare agencies.
  • Preparing and filing the necessary state court petitions and immigration forms (I-360, adjustment of status applications when eligible).
  • Representation at USCIS interviews and court hearings.
  • Providing trauma-informed, sensitive client support for minors and their caretakers.

Typical Process

  1. Obtain juvenile court order with required findings.
  2. File Form I-360 seeking SIJS classification with USCIS.
  3. If SIJS is granted and visa priority is current, file Form I-485 to adjust status to lawful permanent resident.
  4. Attend interviews and follow-up requests as required.

Common Questions

Does applying for SIJS make a child deportable? No. SIJS is a form of relief and does not increase deportation risk; however, each case is unique and must be handled carefully.

Do parents need to be notified? Typically juvenile court proceedings involving dependency do not require notifying abusive or neglectful parents; we coordinate closely with the court and child welfare to protect minors where necessary.