Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the county where the Family Court is located. For example, cases filed in Nassau or Suffolk counties are resolved within three to six months.

Most SIJS cases require two appearances before a Family Court judge.

You must be single, under 21 years of age, demonstrate that you were abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents when living with them. You must have a proposed guardian who looks out for your best interests, and is approved by the Family Court judge. Lastly, the Family Court judge must determine that it is in the minor’s best interest not to be reunited with one or both parents.

SIJS is a bifurcated process. A Family Court judge must first determine that you meet the requirements noted above. Once proceedings in Family Court are concluded, an immigration judge can then close the case and permit you to continue adjusting with USCIS. In the end, you will be granted legal permanent residence (LPR).

Certain applications, such as asylum, permit you to apply for a work permit once the waiting period is satisfied. Depending on the application submitted or action taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, it comes with work permit benefits.