The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) Project pairs trained volunteer attorneys with eligible youth. With the help of a volunteer interpreter, our volunteer attorneys prepare and submit the petitions which are required to obtain SIJ Orders in the San Francisco Superior Court. After SIJ Orders are obtained, JDC staff attorneys assist each youthful client to file an application for SIJ Status with the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS). Once the SIJ Status is obtained, they work towards obtaining a dismissal of any removal case in Immigration Court. The end goal is to obtain Permanent Residence in the U.S. for each eligible youth.
Immigrant children and youth in San Francisco may qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and may seek help from this Project. To be eligible for this immigration remedy, at a minimum a young person must:
- Be unmarried,
- Be under 20.5 years old,
- Be Undocumented or in removal proceedings
- Have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment by one or both parents.
- Not reside with the offending parent
This project relies heavily on participation by our volunteers! We need attorneys, law students and Spanish-speaking interpreters. Volunteers will receive training, reference materials and have the support of a dedicated staff member to help navigate any emerging issue.
If you would like to be involved, you are encouraged to fill out our volunteer application form below:
Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
Questions? Please reach out and write us at sijs@sfbar.org