Source: http://www.safepassageproject.com/author/bow/
Timestamp: 2013-05-22 07:00:54
Document Index: 267897544

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', '§ 101', '§ 1101', '§ 101', '§1012', '§ 384']

Safe Passage Project | Bethany Ow
Safe Passage Mentors
What Is SIJ Status?
Today’s Safe Passage Juvenile Docket was great!
By Bethany Ow [Thursday, May 16th, 2013]
Posted by Lenni B. Benson
Safe passage day in the immigration court. So many terrific volunteers. Four Columbia grads came, and many NYLS students and alumni. I love seeing an entering student helping a recent grad helping a senior alumna help a six year old child facing deportation On. I feel like my students are building a web of light and s…upport for the poor children caught between countries. Thank also to friends Karen Blood and Marie Kimmel who came and helped Marie did art with the little ones as they waited for their hearings and Karen is studying our project in the hope that she can help use film to tell the story of how lawyers and students can make a difference in these lives. As always Virginia, Katie, Bethany, GUI, Susan and Martin were the core of our corps of pro bono volunteers. Get involved please. Www.safepassageproject.com
Links to On Line Streaming Video Lecture — Overview of SIJS
By Bethany Ow [Friday, March 22nd, 2013]
*This document is designed to accompany the 3-part video series that provides an overview lecture on the basic structure of SIJS emailed to all participants prior to the September 13,2012 CLE.
There are three video links:
Basic Requirements of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Part 1
http://nyls.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/2f11c802340e4bccabc5f3b9946120ec1d
Basic Requirements of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Part 2
http://nyls.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/b080f8692c824d68bd091f708076f9ac1d
Basic Requirements of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Part 3
http://nyls.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/ae44456cd975490082d2f659856dc7c81d
What is SIJS? Video One [1:10]
The statutory definition is found in the Immigration and Nationality Act § 101(a)(27; 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(27)(j):
(27) The term “special immigrant” means—…
(II) no natural parent or prior adoptive parent of any alien provided special immigrant status under this subparagraph shall thereafter, by virtue of such parentage, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under this chapter
The following are points to keep in mind:
SIJS is a form of immigration relief for unaccompanied minors.
It is an opportunity for minors to become Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) and eventually obtain U.S. Citizenship.
Eligible minors may receive a Social Security Number, work authorization, financial aid for college, and may have certain grounds of inadmissibility excused.
SIJS does not provide the child’s family with any derivative benefits. This means that once a child becomes a legal permanent resident, he cannot petition for immigration benefits for parents, siblings, or other family members.
Criteria & Eligibility Requirements Video One [3:40]
There are very specific requirements for a minor to qualify for SIJS, and the criteria are codified in INA § 101(a)(27)(J):
The applicant must be under 21 years old when the application is filed;
He/she must be unmarried;
He/she must be declared dependent in a juvenile court. This means that the Family Court must take jurisdiction over a petition addressing the needs of the applicant;
Reunification with one or both of the child’s parents must no longer be a viable option; AND
Two-Step Process to SIJS Video One [8:50]
Family Court proceeding in the county where he/she resides, where the applicant requests a Special Findings Order [9:05/ (discussed again) at 17:21]
Adjudication of Immigration Application [32:54]
See http://www.nyls.edu/immigration for application websites and forms
Representing the Child Video One [15:45]
As an attorney you do not represent the petitioner/proposed guardian in the guardianship proceeding, you represent the child. The guardian may appear pro se.
However, you should talk to the petitioner about the responsibilities of the guardian the process and discuss what to expect when filing the petition and appearing in Family Court. Nonetheless, the proposed guardian is not your client.
Note that custody-based applications relating solely to SIJS are facing resistance in some counties.
Family Court Jurisdiction over a Minor Video One [17:21]
Although guardianship is the most common way for the Family Court to obtain jurisdiction over a minor, it is also possible to bring a motion requesting the order though a custody, neglect, adoption, permanency hearing for children in foster care, or PINS (Person in Need of Supervision) proceeding.
However it is done, receipt of this order is a pre-requisite to applying for SIJS status.
Neglect, Abuse, and Abandonment Standards [Video Two]
The findings of neglect, abuse, and abandonment are made in a Family Court proceeding under State law.
Definitions of abuse/neglect/abandonment can be found in FCA §1012 as well as § 384-b of Social Services Law (SSL).
Sample pleadings and memoranda of law will be found in the CLE materials and/or posted on the Safe Passage website.
Completing the SIJS application Video Two [13:27]
There are two ways to file SIJS for the immigration component:
If your client is in removal proceedings you should only file the I-360 (the Petition for Special Immigrant Status). [Check the Safe Passage Website for a video on how to prepare the I-360 petition.]
If your client is not in removal proceedings one should file the I-360 and I-485 (the Application to Adjust Status) simultaneously.
It is possible to submit the I-765 (application for employment authorization, with the I-485.
However, there is a fee to file the I-485. Though you may request a waiver of the USCIS filing fees by using Form I-912.
Usually, it is a 4-8 month process to complete the Adjustment of Status final adjudication, after which a child will secure permanent resident status (at least in the New York district).
Negative Aspects of SIJS Video 2 [25:25]
The Immigration Statute says that a child who secures permanent resident status through SIJS is no longer a child for the purposes of later sponsoring their parents or their siblings for legal status in the United States — even if parent was not abusive or neglectful.
Until they become citizens, youth are still vulnerable to removal. Therefore, encouraging them to avoid criminal convictions is necessary.
Youth cannot get married while an SIJS case is pending.
Youth in foster care should not “sign out” after they turn 18.
Q&A — Is there a limit to a child’s involvement in the court system? [Video 3]
It is possible that a child involved in a criminal (or juvenile dependency) matter could still be involved in a family court proceeding in order to obtain special immigrant findings in order to apply for SIJS.
Q&A — In a guardianship proceeding, does the guardian need to be a relative and must they have legal status themselves? [Video 3, 2:30]
A guardian is anybody who is willing to take on the responsibility of being a guardian. He or she must be an adult (over the age of 18).
Most family courts require a background check to be done on the guardian, and in some situations, the court will order the ACS (or equivalent county agency) to do a home study.
In New York and in most states, guardians do not have to have legal immigrant status.
As a pro bono lawyer seeking a guardianship petition, you may choose to serve as guardian of the child, but must relinquish legal representation of the child.
It is possible for someone who does not live with the child to petition for guardianship, however the most appropriate guardian is someone who provides the child with emotional and financial support and helps plan for their future.
Q&A — Can New York Law School’s Safe Passage Project help you if the child is not a resident of New York? Video 3 [10:35]
While Safe Passage wants to help everyone secure representation, if you’re beyond our tri-state area, what we are likely to do is refer you to another non-profit organization or pro-bono network that is located and more experienced in your jurisdiction.
Q&A — How do you compare eligibility for SIJS as opposed to President Obama’s announcement that some immigrant youth qualify for Deferred Action? Video 3 [11:30]
The Video reports that as of July 17th 2012, there were no regulations or detailed information about how Deferred Action will work. As of September, the USCIS has issued guidelines, forms and instructions on its website, www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals. If you have a Deferred Action question, please contact us for more assistance. There is also information about Deferred Action posted on the Safe Passage Website.
SIJS is much better than Deferred Action. It will allow your client to obtain permanent resident status and be on the path to full citizenship should they choose to naturalize.
Deferred Action is only a holding place for two years under the youth program. It means that the government knows about you but has decided not to actively pursue your removal from the United States.
In the case of the immigrant youth, the government has said that it will also allow these young people to qualify for work authorization (complete with a federal ID card that also allows for drivers licenses).
However, there is no absolute guarantee that the program won’t terminate and the youth will not find themselves in removal proceedings. Moreover, it does not include a path to full legal status.
Q&A — Does the work from the Safe Passage Project count towards the recommended pro bono hours by the New York State Bar Association? Video 3 [16:50]
As a recently graduated law student who wishes to volunteer pro bono but has not yet been admitted to the bar, your representation of the child must be a partnership under the supervision of an admitted attorney. Current law students must also work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and should check with their law school about how to keep track of qualifying pro bono work.
The Project helps existing social service providers and non-profit organizations screen juvenile populations and identify immigration relief available to these children. The Project also works to provide legal representation for children such as:
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, both affirmative and defensive
Provides training, resources, information for pro bono attorneys who represent Safe Passage clients
Provides law students with the opportunity to work with pro bono attorneys on a case.
Showing of Girl Rising — a documentary about discrimination against girls around the world
By Bethany Ow [Friday, March 15th, 2013]
March 20, Wednesday, a showing of Girl Rising. This film shares the stories of nine girls around the world who because of discrimination, poverty or prejudice have limited access to education.
Safe Passage Project and the Diane Abbey Law Center for Children and Families are sponsoring the film in Room W401. We hope to start shortly after 5 p.m. and the event is over by 7:15. I was able to attend the world premiere. Come. The film will inspire and move you to action.
10x10act youtube.com
10×10 is a feature film and global campaign. Our message is simply this: Educating girls in the developing world will bring transformational change.
By Bethany Ow [Friday, March 8th, 2013]
From Lenni Benson:
Our last day at the immigration court happened to fall on Valentine’s Day.
Our special valentines were so many wonderful students and pro bono attorneys volunteering at the juvenile docket.
Each month Safe Passage attorneys and students meet between ten and twenty-five immigrant children who are appearing in immigration court.
Volunteer Marie Kimmel joined us and helped some of the children make Valentines while they waited to meet attorneys or for their court appearance.
Thank you as always to Adjunct Professors Bethany Ow, Martin Rothstein and Abbey Center Fellow Guillermo Stampur. Tremendous support was provided by Virginia Vazquez, Alissa Kane, and Katie Smelas.
Safe Passage Law Students appeared for children and obtaining continuances while we seek pro bono counsel. Thank you Ilana Snyder, Vivian Carballo, Michael Bonsignore, Aleida Sainz; Yissel Cabrera, Aaron Julka, Adena Altman, and Robin Axelrod.
Several more students volunteered as runners, translators, or note takers:
NYLS Students: Vanessa Caicedo, Christian Alvarez, and Jose Ortiz.
Columbia Students: Jean Choi, Carolina Escalera, and Mae Ackerman.
Attorneys who volunteered at court: Sandra Nichols, Paul Irlando, Catherine Doscher, and Lyndsey Yoshino.
Pro Bono Attorneys who took on cases and appeared today:
Want to join in? Our next days at court are Thursday, March 14 and Thursday, April 11 from 8:30 A.M. to noon each day. Please contact us if you can volunteer.
Upcoming CLE Event! Tuesday, March 5, 2013 — 6:00-8:00p.m. in the Auditorium at New York Law School
By Bethany Ow [Sunday, March 3rd, 2013]
Free CLE! Please come support our wonderful students as they present on a immigration issues relevant to the representation of undocumented youth. This evening will feature presentations on:
On February 23, 2013, Safe Passage held a free immigration screening at SCO Family of Services
By Bethany Ow [Tuesday, February 26th, 2013]
On February 23, 2013, the Safe Passage Immigration Project held a Know Your Rights presentation and immigration screening at SCO Family of Services in Queens, New York. New York Law School alumni Desiree Hernandez ’08 and Bryan Johnson ’08 gave an excellent presentation, after which NYLS students and alumni interviewed immigrant youth, birth parents, and guardians to determine if the children were eligible for citizenship, special immigrant juvenile status, or other forms of immigration relief. A big thanks to the following volunteers: Nicole Israel 1L, Sterling Santamaria 1L, James Walsh 3L, Jennifer Anzardo ’10, Desiree Hernandez ’08, Paul Irlando ’11, Bryan Johnson ’08, Dominic Kong, Katie Smelas ’12, and Jacky Agudelo. Our wonderful group completed twelve interviews, and our amazing alumni at the event have already taken on eight of these pro bono cases. Thanks to everyone who took part!
The photo at left was taken at our event. Safe Passage Project members from left to right: Adjunct Professor Bethany L. Ow ’09, Paul Irlando ’11, Jennifer Anzardo ’10, Nicole Israel 1L, Jacky Agudelo, Professor Lenni B. Benson, Bryan Johnson ’08, Desiree Hernandez ’08, James Walsh 3L, and Katie Smelas ’12. (Not pictured: Sterling Santamaria, Dominic Kong and Abbey Fellow Gui Stampur).
Great published one parent SIJS case from Queens family court!
By Bethany Ow [Tuesday, December 11th, 2012]
Judge Hunt in Queens issued a published SIJS decision, in which he explains why one parent SIJS is okay under New York law. Judge Hunt also has an entire section explaining why he is declining to follow the recent Erick M opinion from Nebraska.
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