Immigration Lawyers
Live Young and Free in the United States
Understand what is
Understanding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status - SIJ
Understanding the Pathway
From SIJ to Green Card
First, we need to determine whether or not you are eligible for SIJ. To do this, please answer our questionnaire.
In order to be eligible for SIJ, we first need to go to court to prove that you have been a victim of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Once special findings are granted, you may apply for SIJ.
In this stage, we put together and submit the petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status to USCIS.
Once the petition is approved, you are granted SIJ status, which allows you to lawfully work and study in the US, and even allows you to apply for a Green Card once your priority date is current.
File Your SIJ Petition
Fulfill your dream of living lawfully in the United States, with new opportunities for work, study, and a prosperous future
Real Stories
Apply for SIJ
Fulfill your dream of living legally in the United States, with new opportunities to work, study, and a prosperous future.
“I was very happy with the outcome of my case, so much so that I referred two other friends of mine. You were the first group of lawyers that I have ever worked with and I don't intend to change that! Great job, very helpful, and excellent service!”
“One and a half years after beginning the process, I can say that the best decision I made was to retain Massa Viana. I value their commitment to delivering everything that was promised from the beginning. Massa Viana Law is a serious firm, committed to the client, always seeking faster results, and valuing the relationship between client and professional.”
“The team at Massa Viana was with me every step of the way and helped me have a better grasp of what I went through. The empathy of the people who work there is unmatched. They were very patient with me and made sure to explain anything I did not understand. They provided me with the support I needed, which was unlike other professionals I had worked with in the past. With other professionals, I had to do everything myself. Massa Viana is a firm that you can count on and trust.”
“My biggest concern while looking for a firm was always to try to make sure I had a clear picture of the whole process. With Massa Viana, I got updates every time there were any changes in the case. At first, I was just looking for a lawyer to answer a few questions about SIJ. But after hearing a friend’s recommendation about Antonio and receiving an unparalleled level of attention in our first consultation, we decided to choose Massa Viana as our law firm.”
The SIJ Classification
Is geared toward:
Children and youth without immigration status, under 21 years of age, unmarried, who have been abused (psychologically or physically), abandoned, or neglected by one or both of their parents.
Submit your SIJ application and get on the path to living lawfully in the United States.
Clients Who Received Status Through SIJ
We have helped hundreds of children and youth obtain their legal status in the United States.
Read about our work, which have helped hundreds fulfill their dreams and live lawfully in the United States.
It is Personal to Us
Thousands of youth and children live in the United States without legal immigration status. Many live alone, caring for themselves without the assistance of a parent or guardian. They find themselves working from a very young age and not able to go to school. And their life is made more challenging because they lack access to good schools, scholarships, or better jobs because of their lack of immigration status.
This is where the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status can be life-changing. It can enable you to receive a Green Card and ultimately become an American citizen. It can allow you to attend college, secure a better job, travel abroad, and live a life free from the fear of deportation.
And that is where we come in: we are a firm founded by an attorney who personally experienced what it is like to live undocumented in his youth. He and his team have a personal stake in each case they take.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for SIJ?
Why must you apply before you turn 21?
Not every state allows you to file for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status until your 21st birthday. While in Massachusetts, the law allows you to petition for SIJ until you are 21, in some states juvenile courts may only be able to issue special findings if you are under 18 years of age. So it is important that you know your state law.
Why should you apply as soon as possible?
Since the SIJ process involves several different government agencies with varying processing times, it is best to start early in order to avoid missing deadlines. That also puts you ahead in the Visa Bulletin queue.
Do I have to have suffered abuse, abandonment, and neglect by both parents?
No, it only has to be one parent.
What is considered abuse?
Some examples of physical abuse are any harm to the physical body including beatings, sexual abuse, pinching, pushing, hair pulling, etc. In addition to physical battery, abuse can include emotional harm, such as witnessing domestic violence perpetrated by one parent against the other.
What is considered abandonment?
Abandonment is statutorily defined as “being left without any provisions for support, without any person responsible to maintain care, custody, and control.” Some examples are not paying child support, not spending time with the child, or lack of contact.
What is neglect?
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families defines neglect as the “failure by a caretaker, either deliberately or through negligence or inability, to take those actions necessary to provide a child with minimally adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, emotional stability, and growth, or other essential care.” Note that if inability is solely due to inadequate economic resources, it may not be considered neglect.
What does best interest mean in immigration law?
The best interest analysis looks to the best interest of the child’s health, education, development, safety, emotional well-being, and overall welfare not to return to their home country or country of last residence.
Can you apply from your country of origin?
No, you must be currently living in the United States. You cannot apply from outside the country to come to the United States on the SIJ classification.
What is an example of a similar basis under the law?
Death of a parent.
Are you able to work while waiting for your Green Card?
How long will you have to wait to get your green card?
Unfortunately, there is a waitlist and once your Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is approved, you have to wait for your priority date to become current before you file for your green card application. That wait can vary between 3 to 5 years, depending on your country of origin.
Can you be married when filing a SIJ?
You must be unmarried. This means you either have never been married; or were previously married, but the marriage ended in annulment, divorce, or death.
Can I help my family get status?
Special Immigrant Juveniles are unable to petition to help their biological or adoptive parents, but they would be able to apply for a spouse once they become U.S. Citizens. Note that married youth are not eligible to apply for SIJ.
Apply for SIJ and fulfill your dream of living in the United States with legal immigration status, with new opportunities for work, study, and new a prosperous future.