Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Samples by State and Region

NEW! The Legal Aid Society's Immigration Detention and Removal: A Manual for Volunteer Lawyers and Law Students. (2007)

This Manual provides an excellent overview of immigration law, guidance for appearing before the immigration court in New York and an appendix of sample immigration documents amongst other highly useful information.

NEW! Matter of Vandessa D. (2008 NY Slip Op ). Decided on May 13, 2008. Appeal of denial of SIJS findings in guardianship proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 6 dismissed because the child turned 18. It specifically found that the Surrogate Court Procedure Act amended in 2006 that extends guardianship until age 21 does not extend to the Family Court in a guardianship proceeding.
NEW! In re. Antowa McD (2008 NY Slip Op. 03690). Decided on April 24, 2008. This First Department decision, binding on all departments, holds that a Family Court has jurisdiction to issue special findings for SIJS eligible children.
Lawyers for Children, Inc.'s Guide for Immigrant Youth.

As part of their "You are Not Alone" series, Lawyers for Children, Inc. has published this excellent guide for immigrant youth in New York and beyond. The guide is written for youth and answers questions about immigration, status, children's rights, how to get a green card and seek assistance.

"Special Immigrant Status Training Manual" from April 3, 2006 training co-presented by the New York Chapter of AILA and the National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children.
Shah, Ragini. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Background and Eligibility. Columbia Law School, January 2005.
New York SIJS Guide. This website is a pilot project started by students at the Child Advocacy/Immigration Clinic at Columbia Law School. This website aims to enhance public information about SIJS, and it is an informational-only service that is continually under improvement.
Matter of Zaim R. (2006 NY Slip Op 26247). Decided on June 19, 2006.
The Family Court of Orange County found that it is without jurisdiction to proceed and that the application is being brought in an effort to avoid removal. The Court held that its reading of federal law on SIJS make it clear that the finding of dependency “must be made first and not as an end run to defeat removal.” Appealed. Second Division Decision dated September 4, 2007 Dismissing the Appeal because appellant turned 18.
Redacted Order regarding SIJS eligibility from the Family Court of the State of New York. 2006.
Sample Order regarding SIJS eligibility.