Colavecchio & Colavecchio

Benefits of SIJ Adjustment of Status Approval

Competitive Prices
High Success Rate
Expert Lawyers
Customer Centric

Book Your Consultation

We are Proud Members of the Following

In immigration law, there is a category designed to protect vulnerable children who have experienced abuse and hardship. Special immigrant juvenile status (SIJs) is a legal route to lawful permanent residence in the United States, granting a new life to those who have faced adversity.

Let’s delve into the benefits of SIJ adjustment of status approval and understand the process and the transformation it can bring to the lives of those young individuals who qualify for this immigration benefit.

SIJ & Protection from Deportation

Understanding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJs)

Remarkable Immigrant Juvenile Status, or SIJS, is a legal immigration classification designed to help minors who have faced abandonment, abuse, and neglect. This classification enables these young individuals to escape difficult situations and secure a lawful permanent residency in the United States.

The SIJS program recognizes the significance of protecting these vulnerable immigrant children and providing them with a chance for a brighter future with countless opportunities like work authorization, study, marriage, etc.

Qualification Criteria For SIJ Adjustment of Status

To qualify for SIJ status, the young individual must meet certain criteria. Generally, this process begins in the juvenile court system, where a court order is issued to decide the child’s eligibility. The factors include:

The child must be under 21 at the time of SIJ filing.
The court must find that the child is dependent on the court, which means the child is under the custody of a guardian or state agency.
The court must determine that it is not in the child’s best interest to be returned to their home country.
The court order must also address the problems like abandonment, abuse, and neglect by one or both parents.
Efforts to reunify the young individual with one or both parents must be deemed unviable.

Once a juvenile court order is issued, it is an essential step in the SIJ process. It lays the foundation for a future Adjustment of Status application, which is the legal way to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States.

The Benefits of SIJ Adjustment of Status Approval

As you have understood the main concept of SIJ adjustment of status, let’s now discuss the key benefits of SIJ adjustment of status approval. The approval of SIJ Adjustment of Status offers many benefits to applicants, which change their lives and give them a ray of hope to build their lives in the United States. Some of the benefits include :

Pathway to Permanent Residence in the US

SIJ Adjustment of Status approval gives a direct route to securing lawful permanent residency or green card. This status allows the young beneficiary to live, work, study, and start a business in the United States permanently.

It also offers stability and security that was often absent from their lives before this immigration benefit. When you have a green card in hand, you can pursue and fulfill your dreams and build a better future for yourself and your family.

Employment Opportunities

Lawful permanent residents, including SIJ recipients, can work in the United States without restrictions. They can find a job and can also start their own business. When someone gets work permits, it means the doors of opportunities open for them, and they can live a respectable life and make their future bright by working hard.

This economic independence can be life-changing, allowing the eligible individual to support themselves and their families. It also provides opportunities to contribute to their communities and society at large.

Access to Education & Healthcare

Education and healthcare are the two most important aspects of life. When you have access to these two, things become way easier for you. Lawful permanent residents in the United States can access many benefits, including healthcare and education.

SIJ beneficiary children can enroll in public schools, colleges, and universities, opening doors to educational opportunities. When they get an education, they grow and can secure their future. Moreover, they can also access healthcare services, promoting their overall well-being and development.

Protection from Deportation

Immigrants without P.R. are always fearful of deportation. They remain restless and have no peace of mind. Once granted P.R. status through SIJ, these young individuals are protected from deportation or removal proceedings as long as they do not commit deportable offenses and maintain their status.

This protection gives you peace of mind, ensuring that you can live and work in the U.S. without the fear of being separated from your newfound home.

SIJ & Family Reunification benefit

Family Reunification

SIJ adjustment of status approval is instrumental in reuniting families. Once an SIJ recipient becomes a United States legal permanent resident, they can petition for family members to obtain green cards or P.R. The family members include parents and unmarried siblings.

This is an excellent opportunity for the entire family as they also get to come to the U.S. and build their life by working hard and availing themselves of countless opportunities. This reunification is always a deeply emotional and transformative experience for these families as it brings families back together after years of separation.

Eligibility for Citizenship Benefit of SIJ

Eligibility for Citizenship

After holding permanent resident status for a specific period, usually five years, SIJ recipients may be eligible to apply for United States citizenship. Becoming a U.S. citizen offers additional privileges and rights. These include seeking federal employment, the ability to vote, and participating in federal elections.

Legal Status & Peace of Mind

One of the most profound advantages of SIJ Adjustment of Status approval is the sense of belonging and security. These immigrant children, who often face challenging circumstances and uncertainty in their home countries, can finally feel a newfound sense of legal status, which gives them immense peace of mind.

They no longer have to live in fear of deportation, as the U.S. government recognizes their right to live and work with freedom in the country.

Fulfilling Dreams

With lawful permanent residency, these young individuals can pursue their dreams and aspirations and use their maximum potential. They can plan for their future, explore various career opportunities, start businesses they always wanted to start, and contribute to the communities they now call home.

The opportunities and freedom that come with legal status are transformative for SIJ recipients, giving them a brighter future where they can earn money, enjoy their lives, and build a family.

SIJ adjustment of status attorneys

Empowering Vulnerable Children: SIJ Benefits

The journey from a juvenile court order to SIJ adjustment of status approval is a transformation that provides hope to vulnerable children who have faced hardships in their home countries. This immigration benefit opens doors to P.R. and green cards, offering access to education and healthcare, protection from deportation, employment opportunities, and the chance for family reunification.

The SIJ benefits, encompassing legal custody status, is an essential aspect of U.S. state law that aims to protect vulnerable children. This program, administered by immigration services, opens doors to the immigrant visa process, offering these young individuals a path to lawful permanent residence in the United States.

Legal Assistance for SIJ Adjustment of Status

If you or anyone you know needs legal assistance related to SIJ adjustment of status, you can contact us without worry. We are Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law Office, a team of professional immigration law attorneys committed to providing all our clients with legal advice and expert representation.

We are based in Nashville, Tennessee, and are experts in immigration law services. All our attorneys can help individuals and families who need assistance and guidance with their immigration problems. Contact us today to book an appointment.