Fairfax SIJ Lawyer for Post-Approval Benefits

Attorney Helping Minors in Fairfax, VA Receive Benefits and Pursue Citizenship After Being Granted SIJ Status

Young immigrants may face multiple types of legal concerns related to immigration, especially when they have been separated from their parents. Minors may be unable to address these issues on their own, but without a legal status in the United States, they could face deportation. In these situations, a child may be able to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status based on abandonment by a parent or a situation where they have experienced abuse or neglect. SIJ status can provide protection and stability, and it may also offer a pathway to lawful permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.

For minors in Fairfax and other parts of Virginia, The Estevez Group, PC helps ensure access to these benefits by assisting with the SIJ application process. We provide compassionate legal support, making sure minors can receive immediate protections while laying the foundation for a secure and prosperous future in the United States.

Immediate Benefits of SIJ Status

Minors who are granted SIJ classification will gain protections that will allow them to remain in the United States. This can provide numerous benefits, including:

1. Protection From Deportation: SIJ recipients can avoid removal proceedings, ensuring they will not be forced to return to unsafe or unstable situations in their home countries.
2. Legal Stability: With SIJ classification, a minor will be able to live in the U.S. lawfully while they pursue adjustment of status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. This legal stability allows them to focus on building a brighter future without fear of deportation.
3. Safe and Stable Living Situations: SIJ recipients often live in foster care, with guardians, or in other supportive environments. This ensures that they can grow up in safe, nurturing settings free from abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
4. Access to Services and Opportunities: With SIJ status, minors may become eligible for certain public benefits, education, and healthcare programs. These resources can help them thrive and integrate into their communities.

Lawful Permanent Residency for Minors With SIJ Status

After receiving SIJ status, a minor can apply for an adjustment of status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident and receive a Green Card. This process involves filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Benefits of lawful permanent residency include:

1. The ability to live and work in the U.S. without restrictions.
2. Access to federal financial aid for higher education.
3. Authorization to travel internationally and return to the U.S. without jeopardizing their immigration status.

In most cases, SIJ recipients are exempt from certain grounds of inadmissibility that might otherwise prevent them from obtaining a Green Card. However, they will be unable to petition for immigration benefits for their biological or adoptive parents.

Path to U.S. Citizenship

After maintaining lawful permanent residency for five years, a person with SIJ status can apply for naturalization and become a U.S. citizen, as long as they are over the age of 18 when they apply. Citizenship provides numerous benefits, including:

1. The right to vote in U.S. elections.
2. Full access to federal government benefits and opportunities.
3. Protection from deportation under all circumstances.
4. The ability to sponsor family members for immigration benefits.

For many immigrants, citizenship is the final step on their journey toward security and belonging in the United States. By becoming a citizen, a young immigrant will have the chance to fully participate in American life.

How The Estevez Group, PC Helps Minors Secure SIJ Benefits

The SIJ process will involve a variety of complex legal concerns and thorough documentation. Our attorney works to help minors in Virginia take full advantage of the protections SIJ status offers. We can help minors meet the eligibility requirements for SIJ status by:

1. Obtaining juvenile court orders that address findings of abandonment, abuse, or neglect by a parent.
2. Preparing and filing Form I-360 with USCIS along with other documentation.
3. Responding to any requests for evidence or additional documentation from USCIS.

Our lawyer can also assist with the adjustment of status process by preparing and submitting Form I-485 and all other required documents and addressing any delays or questions about admissibility. We can also help apply for naturalization by submitting the required application and making sure a person is prepared for the tests that will be required.

We understand the importance of stability and security for young immigrants. Our team is dedicated to helping clients address concerns related to immigration while avoiding delays and working to achieve their goals. By providing compassionate and effective representation, we empower minors to build safe and fulfilling lives in the United States.

Contact Our Fairfax, Virginia Special Immigrant Juvenile Attorney

Special Immigrant Juvenile status offers invaluable benefits for young immigrants. At The Estevez Group, PC, we can help with every step of the immigration process, and we work to provide young people with the opportunities they deserve. Call 703-829-5179 today or contact our firm online to set up your free consultation.