Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Samples by State and Region 

New York

Matter of Vanessa 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.

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.

"Special Immigrant Juvenile 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.

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 made it clear that the finding of dependency “must be made first and not as an end run to defeat removal.”