Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Register by October 21st!
We will limit the number of pro bono participants at a certain point, so if you know you want to participate please sign up at your earliest convenience! If you have any questions, please email NMILC Volunteer/Pro Bono Manager, Delaney Swink: dswink@nmilc.org.
Fighting for Immigrant Children & Youth
SIJS allows any immigrant child, before they turn 18 or 21 (depending on the case), who has been abandoned, abused, or neglected by a parent to apply for special status which can lead to permanent residency and eventually citizenship—which opens many doors for their futures. NMILC’s goal is to provide representation to every single New Mexico child who qualifies for SIJS and needs representation through collaboration with community partners and pro bono attorneys across the state. As the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) continues in peril, SIJS remains a critical pathway to residency and citizenship for immigrant youth.
You may be SIJS Eligible if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
Are you under 18 years old and don’t live with one or both of your parents?
Does one of your parents not support you financially?
Have you been physically or emotionally abused by one or both of your parents?
Unfortunately, SIJS backlogs have been disproportionately affecting Central American immigrants, who cannot lawfully work in the United States pending the final disposition of their SIJS case. However, in 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its policy manual to provide deferred action for SIJS, allowing applicants in the backlog protection from deportation and work permits while their cases are pending. Additionally, a final rule also updated current SIJS guidelines to provide more clarity and guidance on the filing process to give young adults more options to proceed with their lives while they wait for the opportunity to apply for a green card.
Supporting Immigrant Youth with Pro Bonos
Pro bono attorneys are an integral part of NMILC’s SIJS program. New Mexico pro bono attorneys obtain time-sensitive predicate orders, necessary to begin SIJS proceedings. Last year in 2021, NMILC conducted remote outreach and training of pro bono attorneys and successfully held two free remote CLEs. NMILC has also formalized a partnership with the Modrall Sperling law firm, training their attorneys and staff on SIJS and DACA.
In 2021, 40 pro bono attorneys worked SIJS and DACA cases. If you are interested in joining our network of pro bono attorneys, please contact Delaney, our volunteer coordinator, by filling out our volunteer form below.
Empowering Immigrant Youth In Community
NMILC works with government agencies, legal service providers, the University of New Mexico School of Law, and private law firms to provide accessible, free legal services to immigrant youth applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in New Mexico. In 2021, we partnered with:
Individual Pro Bono Attorneys
Modrall Sperling Law Firm
New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
Las Cumbres Community Services
Law Offices of thePublic Defender
Pegasus Legal Aid
Phoenix House
Santuario de Corazón
Southeastern NM Child Advocacy Center (SENMAC)
Client Stories & Highlights
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) work permit allows student to pay for college and graduate in UNM Class of 2022
Watch the video to see the impact our work is making on the lives of immigrant youth in New Mexico.