special immigrant juvenile status explained:...

SpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatusExplained:ObtainingFamilyCourtOrdersforUnder21YearOldFamilyandSexualViolence

Survivors

July29,2015WorkshopI,SessionBNewOrleans,LA

1NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

Introductions• LeslyeOrloff

• Director,NationalImmigrantWomen’sAdvocacyProject

• CommissionerLorettaYoung• NewCastleCountyFamilyCourt,Wilmington,

Delaware

• JudgeMaryWeir• JacksonCountyCourt,KansasCity,Missouri

2NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

LearningObjectives:Bytheendofthisworkshopyouwillbeableto:

• ScreenvictimsforSpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatus(SIJS)eligibilityandthedifferentkindsofqualifyingabuse

• KnowthedifferencesbetweenOVWandLegalServicesCorporation(LSC)representationrulesforSIJSyouth

• Addressjurisdiction,venue,service,andapplicablelawissuesinSIJScases

• ObtainSIJSfindingsfromstatefamilycourts

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LargeGroupDiscussion

WhatarethequestionsaboutobtainingstatecourtfindingsforSIJSyouththatyouwouldlikeansweredbytheendofthisworkshop?

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HAVESOUGHTFINDINGSFROMSTATECOURTJUDGESFORSIJSYOUTH?

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UnderstandingSIJSStatutoryHistory

• CountersjudicialassumptionsthatSIJSisonlyavailableforyouthinfostercare

• Essentialtoensurethatyouthlivingwithonenon‐abusiveparentcanstillaccessSIJS– Undernewoneorbothparentprovisions

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SIJS:StatutoryAuthority§ 101(a)(27)(J),codifiedat8USC§ 1101(a)(27)(J)

• SIJSwascreatedbythe ImmigrationandNationalityActof1990

• CongresscreatedSIJSto:– Aidundocumentedyouthlivinginthefostercaresystem

– Providestabilitythroughlawfulpermanentresidency

• Amended3timestoexpandprotection

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SIJSAmendments• 1997:ExpandedSIJStohelpyouthwhowere“abused,abandoned,orneglected”

• 2005:VAWAbarredDHSfromcompellingyouthtocontactandgainconsentfromallegedabusiveparent(s)

• 2008:“OneorBoth”Parents– Clarifiedeligibilityforyouthlivingwithaprotectiveparent,includingbatteredimmigrantparents

– Requiredfindingthatreunificationnotviablewithatleastoneparent

8NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

2008SIJSAmendments• Anystatecourtwithjurisdictiontoaddresscareorcustodyofachild– Longtermfostercarenotrequired– Anycourtthat,understatelaw,hasjurisdictiontoaddressaspectsof“careorcustody”ofachild

• Statecourtsadjudicate“abuse,abandonment,orneglect”– Applystatelawwithoutregardtowhereabuseoccurred– DHSnolongerauthorizedtoinquireaboutdetailsoftheabusefromyouthapplicant

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Statutevs.Regulation

Requires Child

Eligible for Long Term Foster Care

INA Statute

Implements the

Provisions of the

Statute

FederalRegulation

Changes the

definition of SIJS

TVPRAAmendsStatute

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SIJSregulationshaveNOT beenupdatedsincethe2008amendments

1990 1993 2008 2015

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

SpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatusRequirements

• Under 21 (or state law age of majority) & unmarried• Abused, abandoned, or neglected (as defined by state

law) by one or both parents • In the U.S. or abroad• Must be present in the U.S. when filing for SIJS

• Have a family/juvenile court order • Addressing custody, care, dependency of a child• That reunification with at least one parent who abused,

abandoned, or neglected the child is not viable• That it is not in the child’s best interest to be returned to the

child’s home country• Best interest as defined under state law• State court findings required as evidence

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AccesstoLegalImmigrationStatus• Providesapathtoeconomicsecurity

– Workauthorization– Driver’slicense

• Removesfearofdeportation,promotesstabilityandfacilitatesaccessto:– Nurturingfamilyrelationships– Stableschoolenvironment– Mentors,rolemodels,andcommunitysupport

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AddressingCare,Custody,orDependency

• Courtmusthavejurisdictionunderstatelawtomakejudicialdeterminationsaboutthecustodyandcareofchildren

• Courtorderfinds:– TheminorisadependentofthecourtOR– legallyplacesthechildwithastateorprivateagency,ORaprivateperson

13NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

AddressingCare,Custody,orDependency

• Satisfiedinmorethanhalfofallfamilycourtorders

• TheCourtregularlymakedeterminationson:– whowillbethecustodianoftheminor;– whotheminorwilllivewith;or– whethertheminorwillbecommittedtothecustodyofthestateorprivateagencyforcare,treatment,orrehabilitation

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SIJSinStateCourts• SIJSopportunitiesappearfrequentlyinfamilycourtbecausetheCourt’sprimaryroleisprotectingandensuringthesafetyofchildrenandfamilies

• MostSIJScasesare15‐17yearoldminors• CourtsandattorneysshouldconsiderSIJSasanoptionanytimeachildisnota– Citizenorlawfulpermanentresident

15NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

TimingofSIJSOrders• Shouldbeissuedbeforeaminorturnsageofmajorityunderstatelaw

• Understatelaw,somecourtsmayhavecontinuedjurisdictionoveryouthbetweenageofmajorityand21

• Ifroutinelyconsideredinanycaseinwhichanon‐citizenminorcomesbeforeafamilycourt,fewerchildrenwill“ageout”ofSIJS

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WhatMinorswithSIJStatusReceive• Whilecaseispending:

– Protectionfromdeportationandremoval– Considered“lawfullypresent”andeligiblefor– healthcareexchanges(nosubsidies),educationbenefits

– Programsandservicesnecessarytoprotectlifeandsafety

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WhatMinorsGrantedSIJStatusReceive

• Atapproval:– LawfulPermanentResidency(separate,butusuallyconcurrentfiling)

– Legalworkauthorization– Bringsaccesstostateissueddriver’slicensesandidentificationcards

– Eligibleforcitizenshipafter5years– Postsecondaryeducationalgrantsandloans;publicandassistedhousing

– Foodstamps(onlyuntiltheimmigrantchildturnsage19)SIJSrecipientmayNEVERfilefamilypetitionforeitheroftherecipient’snaturalparents

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LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION

Scenario#1:Lita

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SIJSEligibility:AttorneysandAdvocates

• Screeningshouldbeconductedoften• AbusemayhaveoccurredbeforethejuvenileenteredtheUnitedStatesORafter• Possibleincreasedriskforvictimizationforimmigrantjuvenilesreunifiedwithfamilyand/orstepparents

20NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

ListalltypesofstatecourtcasesinwhichachildvictimcanseekspecialfindingsforSIJS?

SmallGroupDiscussion

21NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

TypesofProceedingstoRequestSpecialFindingsforImmigrantYouth

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• Childabuse/neglect• Dependency• Childreninneedofsupervision• Adoption• Terminationofparentalrights• Guardianship• Paternity• Childsupport• Custody/visitation/modification• Protectionorders• Divorce• Legalseparation• Delinquency• Motionsforadeclaratoryjudgment

Procedural Issues: May require consolidation of cases to attain ability to make needed findings

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

DeclaratoryJudgments• Adeclaratoryjudgmentcanbeausefultoolforobtainingnecessarystatecourtfindings

• 4thingsyoumustconsiderbasedonyourstate’slawandpolicies:– Availabilityofadeclaratoryjudgmentstatute– Isthereliefsoughtavalidstatecourtfunction?– Isthechildinfederalorstatecustody?– Willadeclaratoryjudgmentfurtherthechild’sbenefitseligibilityforpublicbenefitsinthestate?

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StatesWithDeclaratoryJudgmentStatutesThatCanbeUsedinSIJSCases

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LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION

Scenario#2:Susan

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ChallengesandMisconceptionsAboutthe“Oneor BothParent”Requirement

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OneParentSIJSCases• “Reunificationwithoneorbothparentsisnotviableduetoabuse,neglect,orabandonment,orothersimilarbasisinstatelaw”

• SIJSeligiblechildrenmaybelivingwith:– Fosterfamily– Appointedguardian– Non‐abusiveparent

• Intendedtoprotect– Parentswhoarealsosurvivorsofdomesticviolence– Thechild’srelationshipwithnon‐offendingparent

27NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

Scenarios• Participantsworkinsmallgroupsondifferentscenarios– Table1=Scenario#3:Lili– Table2=Scenario#4:Etta– Table3=Scenario#5:CC– Table4=Scenario#6:Karen

• Reportbackanddiscussscenarioquestions,SIJSeligibilityjurisdiction,service,andbestinterest

28NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

FactorsConsideredinDeciding:BestInterestoftheChildtoRemainintheU.S.?

• BestinterestincludescomparisonoffactorsintheU.S.andchild’shomecountry

• Usefultoprovideevidenceofcountryconditions• Bestinterestsdefinedbystatelawincluding:

• Riskofdangertothechild• Familysupportsystem• Emotionalwellbeing• Educationalresources• Statelawsthatprecludeordiscourageplacementwithabusiveparent

29NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

JurisdictionUndertheUCCJEA• Homestatejurisdiction

– 6monthsinthestate– Foreigncountrycountsasa“homestate”

• Temporaryemergencyjurisdiction– Mayvarybystate– Generallymayassertwhenthejuvenileispresentinthestateandisabandonedorabused

– Inmanystates,temporaryemergencyjurisdictioncanevolveintofulljurisdiction

30NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

EnsuretheStateCourtOrderSatisfiesUSCISRequirementsBy:

• Clearlyarticulatingstatelawbasisforjurisdictionovertheminorinthecasebeforethecourt

• Issuingrulingscontainingdetailsofthecourt’sfactualfindingsregarding:– Abuse,abandonment,and/orneglect– Bestinterests– Includestatecaselawcitations

31NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

EnsuretheStateCourtOrderSatisfiesUSCISRequirementsBy:

• Articulatingfactuallyhowtheorderfurthersthecourt’sroleunderstatelawof:– Protectingandensuringthesafetyofminors– Furtheringchildren’sbestinterests– Issuingordersregardingthecustody,placement,andcareofminors

32NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

InadmissibilityLawsThatAreApplicabletoSIJSCases

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StandardInadmissibilityGroundsThatDoNOTApplytoSIJSapplicants

• Unlawfulpresence• Immigrantspresentwithoutadmissionorparole• Misrepresentation,includingfalseclaimtoU.S.citizenship

• Stowaways• Violationsoflaborcertificationlaws• Immigrantsnotinpossessionofavalidunexpiredimmigrantvisa,reentrypermit,bordercrossingidentificationcard,orothervalidentrydocument

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WaivableOffenses

• Prostitutionandcommercializedvice• Failuretoattendremovalproceedings• Immigrantsunlawfullypresentafterpreviousimmigrationviolations

• Certainimmigrantsinvolvedinseriouscriminalactivitywhohaveassertedimmunityfromprosecution

35NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

Non‐WaivableOffensesCanResultinDenialofLawfulPermanentResidencytoSIJSChildren

• Theftandshopliftingconvictions• Findingsandadmissionsregardingdrugs(exceptlessthan30gramsofmarijuana)

• Domesticviolence• Childabuseorexploitation• Multiplecriminalconvictions• Controlledsubstancetraffickers• Espionage,terroristactivities,genocide,torture,orextrajudicialkilling

36NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,AmericanUniversityWashingtonCollegeofLaw

TechnicalAssistanceandMaterials

• PowerPointpresentationsandmaterialsforthisconferenceatwww.niwap.org/go/NOLA2015

• NIWAPTechnicalAssistance:– Call(202)274‐4457– E‐mailniwap@wcl.american.edu

• WebLibrary:www.niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu

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Questions

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Evaluations

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Thankyou!

NationalImmigrantWomen'sAdvocacyProject,American

UniversityWashingtonCollege of Law

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THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED BY GRANT NO. 2013-TA-AX-K009 AWARDED BY THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE OPINIONS, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION/PROGRAM/EXHIBITION ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.