Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Lawyer

Get Help Protecting Abused and Abandoned Immigrant Children From Our Dedicated, Compassionate SIJS Attorney in Reno, NV

At Smit Law Group, our experienced Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status lawyer is dedicated to helping vulnerable immigrant children find safety, stability, and a path to lawful residency in the United States. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) provides vital protection for young people who have suffered abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents. For many children in Nevada, SIJS is not just an immigration benefit, but a lifeline toward security, education, and opportunity.

Our law firm handles these complex immigration cases with compassion, advocacy, and commitment to helping the clients we serve navigate both the state and federal steps involved. For help understanding how Special Immigrant Juvenile Status can help you and how the process works, contact us today.

What Is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status?

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is a humanitarian immigration classification that allows undocumented children in the United States facing certain circumstances to apply for lawful permanent residency in the U.S. (a Green Card). Congress created SIJS to protect minors who cannot safely return to their home countries because of parental mistreatment or abandonment.

To qualify, a child must have a juvenile court order, usually from a family or guardianship court, that finds that:

• The child cannot reunify with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and
• It is not in the child’s best interest to return to their home country.

This process has two main stages:

• State court findings: A Nevada family court must issue specific predicate findings supporting the SIJS petition.
• Federal petition: After the state order is issued, the child (through counsel) files a Form I-360 petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Each step requires careful documentation and legal precision, which an experienced Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status lawyer can ensure.

Your future deserves attention today. Call 775-993-2235 or contact our team to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

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Why SIJS Matters for Protecting Vulnerable Immigrant Children

For immigrant children living in the United States without lawful status, the future can be uncertain. SIJS offers:

• Protection from deportation or removal
• A pathway to lawful permanent residency (a Green Card)
• Access to stability, including education, healthcare, and work authorization
• Freedom from returning to an unsafe environment

Importantly, SIJS recognizes the unique vulnerability of minors who have suffered abuse, neglect, or abandonment. It bridges the gap between state family law and federal immigration law, allowing children to find permanent safety within the U.S. legal system.

Step One: State Court Predicate Findings

Before a child can apply for SIJS with USCIS, a state court must make certain factual findings known as predicate findings. These are essential because they establish the foundation for SIJS eligibility.

In Nevada, and specifically in Washoe County, these determinations are typically made in the Family Division of the Second Judicial District Court, which handles guardianship, custody, and juvenile matters.

1. Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment

The court must find that the child has been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. This finding aligns with Nevada’s definitions under state child welfare laws:

• Abuse may include physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted by a parent or caregiver.
• Neglect typically refers to the failure to provide proper care, supervision, food, shelter, medical attention, or education.
• Abandonment involves a parent’s willful failure to maintain contact or provide support for the child.

These findings can arise in various types of proceedings, such as guardianship cases, custody disputes, or juvenile dependency hearings.

At Smit Law Group, our SIJS attorney in Reno, NV, helps abandoned juveniles and their guardians present compelling evidence, including testimony, records, and affidavits, to demonstrate the child’s need for protection under Nevada law.

2. Not Viable for Reunification

The second required finding is that reunification with one or both parents is not viable because of the abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

This does not mean that both parents must be unfit. Even if only one parent has failed to care for or protect the child, the court can find that reunification with that parent is not possible.

This step requires demonstrating that the child’s safety and welfare would be compromised by returning to that parent’s custody.

An experienced Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status lawyer will guide the process of gathering evidence and framing the legal arguments to ensure the court’s findings satisfy USCIS requirements.

3. Best Interests of the Child

Finally, the court must find that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their home country or previous country of residence.

This finding focuses on the child’s well-being and future prospects. Factors may include:

• Lack of safe housing or family support abroad
• Limited access to education or healthcare
• Threats of violence, exploitation, or trafficking
• The stability and safety available in the United States

The best interest determination is a familiar concept in Nevada’s family courts, and Washoe County judges are accustomed to considering similar factors in guardianship and custody cases.

Your SIJS attorney in Reno, NV, can help frame this finding within Nevada’s legal standards while ensuring it meets the criteria recognized by federal immigration authorities.

Step Two: Filing the SIJS Petition with USCIS

Once the Nevada court issues the predicate findings, the next step is filing Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

This filing must include:

• The certified state court order with SIJS findings
• Proof of the child’s age (must be under 21 and unmarried)
• Documentation of the child’s identity and residence
• Supporting evidence that demonstrates eligibility under federal law

Once approved, the child may then apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) to become a lawful permanent resident.

Because the federal process is complex and time-sensitive, it’s crucial to work with a knowledgeable Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status lawyer who understands both the local court procedures and federal immigration requirements.

The Role of Washoe County’s Family Division

In Reno and the surrounding areas, the Family Division of the Second Judicial District Court in Washoe County handles all juvenile and guardianship matters. This includes issuing the predicate findings needed for SIJS petitions.

Depending on the child’s circumstances, the predicate order may be issued in:

• Guardianship proceedings, in which a non-parent seeks legal guardianship over a minor
• Custody proceedings between parents or other caregivers
• Juvenile dependency cases involving state child protective services

Because the Family Division regularly deals with guardianship applications, it is familiar with SIJS-related findings. Smit Law Group often coordinates these cases to ensure that the guardianship petition and SIJS process proceed efficiently together.

Our How SIJS Attorney in Reno, NV, Supports Families in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Cases

Every SIJS case represents a story of resilience. A child is seeking safety and belonging after enduring loss or hardship. At Smit Law Group, we approach each case with compassion and professionalism, combining deep knowledge of Nevada family law with precise immigration strategy.

Whether your case begins with a guardianship application or a child custody order, our Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status lawyer will ensure that every step aligns with both Nevada’s requirements and USCIS expectations. We provide comprehensive support throughout a process that can easily become overwhelming, so that the child and their guardian can focus on healing and adjustment to their new, more stable circumstances.

How Smit Law Group Can Help

Obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and, later, a Green Card is a multi-step process that involves complex laws and procedures, extensive documentation, and impeccably prepared forms. We assist our clients at every stage of the process by:

• Preparing and filing guardianship or custody petitions in state court
• Obtaining the necessary predicate findings for SIJS eligibility
• Compiling and filing the Form I-360 petition with USCIS
• Handling all communication with immigration authorities
• Preparing for interviews and Adjustment of Status applications

We also provide compassionate support for families who may be facing difficult personal circumstances, ensuring that minors receive the protection they deserve.

Why Choose a Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Lawyer at Smit Law Group?

Handling a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status case requires navigating both Nevada family law and U.S. immigration law, two distinct legal systems with different procedures and standards. At Smit Law Group, we are deeply experienced in both areas of practice. With our law firm handling your SIJS case, you gain:

• Comprehensive case management, from court filings to USCIS submissions
• Direct coordination with guardians, social workers, and family members
• Multilingual service (English, Spanish, Dutch, German, and French) for families from diverse backgrounds
• Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed representation for young clients
• An advocate with extensive courtroom experience in Washoe County’s Family Division

Our goal is not just to complete forms. It’s to secure the child’s safety, stability, and long-term success in the United States.

Contact a Reno Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Lawyer Today for Your Initial Consultation

Every child deserves protection and stability, and SIJS is a critical pathway to meeting those needs for vulnerable young immigrants. If your child, or a child in your care, may qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, don’t wait to seek help. Timing is critical, and each case requires individualized attention to meet both state and federal deadlines.

For help from an experienced SIJS attorney in Reno, NV, contact Smit Law Group online or call 775-993-2235 today for a confidential consultation.