Special Immigrant Juveniles

Grieco Immigration Law has extensive experience working with children, especially those that have experienced trauma in their home country.

If you are in the United States and need the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent, you may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification.

There are several requirements to be eligible for SIJ.

First, you must be under 21 years of age at the time of the SIJ petition.

Second, you must be currently living in the United States. You cannot apply from outside the country to come to the United States on SIJ classification. This must be true both at the time you file the SIJ petition and at the time USCIS makes a decision on your petition.

Third, you must be unmarried both at the time you file the SIJ petition and at the time USCIS makes a decision on your petition.

Fourth, you must have a valid juvenile court order issued by a state court in the United States which finds that:

1. You are dependent on the court, or in the custody of a state agency or department or an individual or entity appointed by the court;
2. You cannot be reunified with one or both of your parents because of ANY of the following: abuse, abandonment, neglect or a similar basis under state law AND it is not in your best interests to return to the country of nationality or last habitual residence of you or your parents.

Some juvenile courts may only be able to issue a juvenile court order if you are under 18 years of age.

Gianvito Grieco, Esq. is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and is experienced advocating for such an order in Florida.

If SIJ classification is granted, you may qualify for lawful permanent residency (also known as getting a Green Card).