SIJS Webinar PowerPoint Presentation

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NIWAP Materials

Legend:

 * = NIWAP SJI

+ = Distributing Work by Others or by Government

** = NIWAP Not SJI

*** = If you have difficulty accessing this or any publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org

Demographics Information

• All State Demographics (June 5, 2018 updated May 17, 2022) (453) **

Forms of Immigration Relief

• Family Court Bench Card on Immigration Relief for Battered Spouses, Children, and Immigrant Crime Victims (October 29, 2021) * (12480)

Immigration Relief for Crime Victims and Children

Know Your Rights Information and Bench Cards

• DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims (February 6, 2018) + (286)
• Immigration Options for Victims of Crime -DHS Brochure (June 30, 2011) + (647)
• Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates (July 13, 2018) * (883)
• Pathways to Immigration Relief for Students (June 20, 2014) * (156)
• Immigration Relief for Abused Children (May 1, 2016) + (259)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Juvenile Courts (July 1, 2014) + (258)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Child Welfare Workers  (July 1, 2014) + (257)
• Bench Card: Overview of Types of Immigration Status (October 14, 2013, Update April 22, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/bchcrd-immstatustypes * (88)

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Child Abuse & Protective Battered Immigrant Parents
Training Materials

• Answers to Questions from State Court Judges on the 2022 Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Regulations (April 4, 2023) 

Full SIJS Bench Book Training Manual

• The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Bench Book: A National Guide to Best Practice for Judges and Courts (April 2018) * (153)

SIJS Bench Book Table of Contents

• Chapter I – Introduction to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (December 20, 2017) * (16)
• Chapter II – Details About Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Findings (December 19, 2017) * (149)
• Chapter III – Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect – The Role of State Law Definitions in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Findings (December 19, 2017) * (150)
• Chapter IV – Application of the Best Interest of the Child Standard in SIJS (December 15, 2017) * (151)
• Chapter V-1 – Adoption Quick Reference (October 29, 2017) * (107)
• Chapter V-2 – Civil Protection Orders Quick Reference Guide (November 1, 2017) * (108)
• Chapter V-3 – Custody Quick Reference Guide (December 27, 2017) * (109)
• Chapter V-4 – SIJS in Declaratory Judgment Cases Quick Reference (November 25, 2017) * (110)
• Chapter V-5 – Delinquency Quick Reference (December 17, 2017) * (111)
• Chapter V-6 – Dependency Quick Reference (December 18, 2017) * (154)
• Chapter V-7 – Guardianship Quick Reference (December 20, 2017) * (112)
• Chapter V-8 – Paternity Quick Reference Guide (December 7, 2017) * (113)
• Chapter VI – Inadmissibility in SIJS (December 27, 2017) * (114)
• Chapter VII – Service of Process in SIJS (December 29, 2017) * (154)
  • Family Law Service of Process and Jurisdiction Requirements Charts (March 2, 2021) * (36)
• Appendix A – SIJS Statutory and Regulatory Provisions (December 19, 2017) * (114)
• Appendix B – SIJS Legislative History (December 19, 2017) * (116)
• Appendix C – TVPRA-SIJ Neufeld Memo (March 24, 2009) + (117)
• Appendix D1 – USCIS SIJS Policy Manual Full – Vol 6 + (194)
• Appendix D2 – USCIS SIJS Policy Manual Full – Vol 7 + (195)
• Appendix E – Understanding the Significance of a Minor’s Trauma History in Family Court Rulings  (May 17, 2021) * (12410)
• Appendix F – DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims + (1708)
• Appendix G – DHS Immigrants Options for Victims of Crime (English) (February 6, 2018) + (118)
• Appendix H – DHS SIJS Brochure (February 6, 2018) + (119)
• Appendix I – DOJ Language Access Letter to Courts (August 16, 2010) + (120)
• Appendix J – Types of Proceedings SIJS Findings (August 27, 2021) * (121)
• Appendix K – State Law Definitions of Child Abuse (December 19, 2017) * (122)
• Appendix L – Abandonment of Children Statutes Definitions (September 20, 2017) * (123)
• Appendix M – State Law Definitions of Child Neglect (October 2, 2017) * (124)
• Appendix N – Domestic Violence Includes Child Abuse and Child Neglect (December 14, 2017) * (125)
• Appendix O – States Definitions of Child Endangerment as More Severe Than Neglect (December 27, 2017) * (126)
• Appendix P – State Law Definitions of Forced Marriage as Child Abuse (December 27, 2017) * (127)
• Best Interests of the Child State-by-State Maps and Comparison Charts (Updated July 7, 2021) * (151)
• Appendix Q – Best Interests of the Child Matrix (December 27, 2017) * (128)
• Appendix Q-1 – Best Interests of the Child All Factors (December 29, 2017) * (129)
• Appendix Q-2 – Best Interests – Catch All (December 29, 2017) * (130)
• Appendix Q-3 – Best Interests – Child’s Family Relationships (December 29, 2017) * (131)
• Appendix Q-4 – Best Interests – Child’s Needs (December 29, 2017) * (132)
• Appendix Q-5 – Best Interests – Child’s Wishes (December 29, 2017) * (133)
• Appendix Q-6 – Best Interests Continuity and Stability of Child Factor (December 29, 2017) * (134)
• Appendix Q-7 – Best Interests of the Child – Family Violence (December 29, 2017) * (135)
• Appendix Q-8 – Best Interests – Joint Custody (December 29, 2017) * (136)
• Appendix Q-9 – Best Interests – Parental Cooperation Conflict (December 29, 2017) * (137)
• Appendix Q-10 – Best Interests – Parental Fitness (December 29, 2017) * (138)
• Appendix Q-11 – Best Interests – Parental Wishes (December 29, 2017) * (139)
• Appendix Q-12 – Best Interests – Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, and Criminal History Factor (December 29, 2017) * (140)
• Appendix R – Custody in Protection Orders Proceedings (November 9, 2017) * (141)
• Appendix S – Using Declaratory Judgment in Family Law Matters (November 16, 2017) * (142)
• Appendix T – Declaratory Judgments – Cases By Topic & State (November 25, 2017) * (143)
• Appendix U – SIJS and State Declaratory Judgment Statutes – State by State (November 26, 2017) * (144)
• Appendix V – Guardianship Appointment of Guardian Chart (November 27, 2017) * (145)
• Appendix W – When Guardianship Terminates (February 2018) * (146)
• Appendix X – SIJS Case Law Chart (Update September 12, 2022) * (91)
• Appendix Y – States with Rules Identical to FRCP 4 (February 8, 2018) * (147)
• Appendix Z – Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors (Updated November 26, 2017) * (148)

DHS and LSC Publications

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Regulations 1993, 2009, 2011 (Proposed Rule) and 2022 (October 3, 2022) *
• USCIS Policy Manual SIJS Classification and Adjustment of Status (June 10, 2022) + (12648)
• SIJS Petitions Regulations Final Rule (March 8, 2022) + (12647)
• Appendix D1 – USCIS SIJS Policy Manual Full – Vol 6 (October 7, 2022) + (194)
• Appendix D2 – USCIS SIJS Policy Manual Full – Vol 7 (October 7, 2022) + (195)
• SIJS Regulations Final Rule Federal Register (March 8, 2022) + (12614)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Classification and Deferred Action (March 7, 2022)  + (12664)
• USCIS Naturalization for Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJS) (September 21, 2022)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Juvenile Courts (July 1, 2014) + (258)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Child Welfare Workers (July 1, 2014) + (257)
• Advisory Opinion 2016-002: Providing Legal Services for Children Seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (July 11, 2016, Revised August 26, 2016) + (512)
• Prosecutorial Discretion: Certain Victim, Witnesses and Plaintiffs (June 17, 2011) + (1061)
• Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Provisions HQOPS 70/8.5 USCIS Memo (March 24, 2009)
• HR REP 101-723 Family Unity and Employment Opportunity Immigration Act of 1990 (September 19, 1990)(Legislative History) +
• DHS Takes Victim-Centered Approach Press Release (October 20, 2021) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-victim-centered-approach + (12717)
• NIWAP, New Department of Homeland Security Policies Released in 2021 and 2022: Importance for Immigrant Survivors (October 14, 2021, Updated May 17, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-policy-updates  * (12391)
• ICE Directive 11005.3 – Using a Victim-Centered Approach with Noncitizen Crime Victims (August 10, 2021) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/wp-content/uploads/ICE-Victim-Centered-Directive-11005.3.pdf + (12572)

SIJS Training Materials

• Project Lifeline: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Predicate Order Resource Center
• Project Lifeline: State-by-State Age-Out Database
• In Re Guardianship of Saul H. California Supreme Court Ruling Summary (August 18, 2022)*
• In Re Guardianship of Saul H (CA S. Ct 8.15.22)+
• Bench Card: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (July 13, 2022) (12646)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Timeline with Background Checks (June 12, 2021) * (3451)
• Judge Julie Breslow, Handout – Immigrant Victims Immigration Options (May 26, 2021) +
• Factors That Can Demonstrate That It is Not in a Child’s Best Interests to be Returned to Their Home Country (October 2018) * (76)
• Special Immigrant Juveniles (SISJ): Inadmissibility Factors That Do and Do Not Apply to SIJS Cases” (June 12, 2021) *
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration Policies Released in 2021 and 2022 That Are Important for Immigrant Survivors (May 17, 2022)*
• American Bar Association – Immigration Relief: Legal Assistance for Noncitizen Crime Victims, Chapter 5 Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (March 26, 2018) +
• New Practice Advisory on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Applications Published: Additional Information for Judges and Attorneys (September 17, 2018) * (68)
• Abused, Abandoned, or Neglected: Legal Options for Recent Immigrant Women and Girls (August 2016) ** (103)
• Types of Proceedings in Which State Courts Can Make Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Findings (December 20, 2017) * (17)
• Immigration Relief for Abused Children (April 2016) + (259)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Juvenile Courts (July 1, 2016) + (258)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Child Welfare Workers (July 1, 2014) + (257)
• Comparison Chart of VAWA, U, and SIJS (July 10, 2015) * (588)
• Representing Undocumented Children Who Have Been Abused, Neglected, or Abandoned (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)*** (Winter 2017) *** (255)
• Special Immigrant Juveniles- Memorandum #2: Clarification of Interim Field Guidance (July 9, 1999) + (514)
• Webinar: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Best Practices of Drafting Findings. (May 14, 2019) * (58)
• Immigration Protection Screening Checklist: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (July 13, 2015) ** (155)

Administrative Office of Appeals Decisions

• Administrative Appeals Office Non-Precedent Decision In Re: 12890448 (September 14, 2021) +
• Administrative Appeals Office Non-Precedent Decision In Re: 13258676 (November 24, 2021) +
• Matter of Jose A. Menjivar (December 27, 1994)

Family Law Service of Process

• Guide to Family Law Service of Process and Jurisdiction Requirements Charts (January 29, 2021) *
• Family Law Service of Process and Jurisdiction Requirements Charts – By Type of Proceeding (March 2, 2021) (904) *
• All State Services of Process and Jurisdiction Charts – By State (October 20, 2021) (12366) *
• Family Law Summary of Service Rules (January 29, 2021) *
• Family Law: Training Materials (June 14, 2017) (32)**

Child Development and Trauma

• Understanding the Significance of a Minor’s Trauma history in Family Court Rulings (May 18, 2021) (65) *
• Vulnerable but not Broken: Psychosocial Challenges and Resilience Pathways in Unaccompanied Children from Central America (January 2018) (1159)  +
• https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/significance-of-trauma-history-of-minors  *
• Board of Immigration Appeals Decision on Regarding Children, Brain Development and Trauma (May 22, 2017) (12376) +
• Board of Immigration Appeals Amicus Brief on Recent Research Concerning the Neurobiological, Cognitive, and Psychological Development of Children and Adolescents (July 11, 2016) (578) **

Securing a Detained Parent’s Participation in Court Proceedings Involving Children

• Parental-Guardian Interests Directive: How to Get a Detained or Removed Person to Court for Family Court Cases Involving Children or Incapacitated Adults (June 12, 2021) (1701) *
• Press Release: ICE Extends Preservation of Parental Guardian Interests (July 14, 2022) + (12641)
• ICE, 11064.3 Parental Guardian Interests Directive (July 14, 2022) + (12640)

Immigrant Children and Child Welfare Proceedings

Child Abuse, Neglect, Child Welfare and Termination of Parental Rights

• Protecting Parental Rights When the Immigrant Parent is Detained or Deported*** (Winter 2017) *** (236)
• Case of Maria L.*** (Winter 2017) *** (306)
• Fact Sheet on State v. Maria L. (November 2009) ** (503)
• In Re Interest of Angelica L. and Daniel L. (N.W.2d) (June 26, 2009) + (295)
• Toolkit: Detention and Termination of Parental Rights (October 2012) ** (219)
• States Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect (November 7, 2016) * (2171)
• Immigration in Child Welfare System Case Studies (May 2018) + (294)
• Guide for State Courts in Cases Involving Unaccompanied Immigrant Children (2015) + (288)
• Unaccompanied Immigrant Children And The State Courts (2015) + (300)
• HHS: Immigration and Child Welfare (April 2015) + (289)        
• Immigrant Families and Child Welfare Systems: Emerging Needs and Promising Policies (April 2019) + (245)
• NCJFCJ Improving Child Welfare Practice for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence (Webinar) (June 20, 2018) + (247)
• NCJFCJ Deportation and Children + (297)
• SYNERGY: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Intersection of Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System (November 25, 2013) + (509)
• David B. Thronson & Veronica T. Thronson, Immigration Issues-Representing Children Who Are Not United States Citizens, in Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents and State Agencies in Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Cases (Donald N. Duquette, Ann M. Haralambie, and Vivek Sankaran eds., 3d ed., National Association of Counsel for Children 2016)  + (221)
• David B. Thronson, Of Borders and Best Interests: Examining the Experiences of Undocumented Immigrants in U.S. Family Courts, 11 TEX. HISP. J.L. & POL’Y 45 (2005) (reprinted at 11 Bender’s Immigration Bulletin 7 (Jan. 1, 2006); reprinted at 27 IMMIGR. & NAT’LITY L. REV. (2007); reprinted in INTERNATIONAL FAMILY LAW (Ann Laquer Estin, ed., Elgar Publishing 2016)). + (12357)
• David B. Thronson, Choiceless Choices: Deportation and the Parent-Child Relationship, 6 NEV. L.J. 1165 (2006) (reprinted at 12 BENDER’S IMMIGRATION BULLETIN 167 (February 15, 2007); reprinted in JUSTICE, POLITICS AND THE FAMILY, Daniel Engster and Tamara Metz, eds., Paradigm Publishers 2013)). + (12396)
• David B. Thronson, Creating Crisis: Immigration Raids and the Destabilization of Immigrant Families, 43 WAKE FOREST L. REV. 391 (2008). + (12361)
• David B. Thronson, You Can’t Get Here From Here: Toward A More Child-Centered Immigration Law, 14 VA. J. SOC. POL’Y & L. 58 (2006). + (12632)

Public Benefits Access for Immigrant Victims

• Public Benefits Bench Card * (5)
• Public Benefits Map * (232)
• All State Public Benefits Charts and Interactive Map – by immigrant victim case type and benefits program (Updated 2021) * (193)
• State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (July 22, 2021, updated July 7, 2022) * (2585)
• Bench Card: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (July 13, 2022)
• Immigrant Crime Victims and Public Charge: Post-VAWA 2013 ** (97)
• Programs Open to Immigrant Victims and All Immigrants Without Regard to Immigration Status (July 23, 2015) ** (231)
• Anti-Discrimination Provisions that Apply to Programs Receiving Federal Funding Serving Victims of Violence against Women Crimes (February 10, 2017) ** (100)
• Privacy Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Other Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits (October 14, 2020) * (3146)

Screening Tools

• Bench Card – Identifying Victims Who May Qualify for Immigration Relief (March 9, 2022) (1617)
• Comparing Forms of Immigration Relief for Immigrant Victims of Crime” (September 12, 2017) * (47)
• Comparison Chart of U visa, T Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (July 10, 2015) * (87)

Webinars Related to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Cases

Immigrant Survivors

• Legal Protections When Child Victims Are Immigrants: The Judge’s Role (June 20, 2019) ** (1150)
• What Courts Want to Know, What Role Can Courts Play Regarding Detained Immigrant Children and Parents (July 9, 2019) ** (1860)
• State Courts and the Protection of Immigrant Crime Victims and Children (January 31, 2014)* (12628)

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Best Practices of Drafting Findings (May 14, 2019) (58)
• U Visa Certifications and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: The Judge’s Role – Webinar National Judicial College (Nov. 30, 2018 Webinar) * (74)
• State Court Findings for Youth Seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (July 13, 2015) * (70)

Access to Public Benefits

• Public Benefits and Services Legally Available to Immigrant Children and Victims – What Courts Need to Know (April 18, 2019) * (201)

Child Welfare Cases Involving Immigrant Families and Children

• Expanding the Toolbox for Children in Immigrant Families: Tips and Tools for Child Welfare and Children’s Courts” (March 23, 2022) ** (1071)

Webinars – Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and Trauma

• Legal Protections When Child Victims Are Immigrants: The Judge’s Role (June 20, 2019) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/june-2019-immigrant-child-victims ** (1150)
• National Judicial Network Webinar – New Regulations, Policies, and Court Rulings: The Impact on State Courts Issuing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Orders (October 4, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/njn-webinar-new-regulations-policies-sijs-orders-oct-2022
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Best Practices of Drafting Findings (May 14, 2019) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/may2019sijs/* (58)
• U Visa Certifications and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: The Judge’s Role – Webinar National Judicial College (Nov. 30, 2018 Webinar) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/11-30-webinaruvisasijs * (74)
• State Court Findings for Youth Seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (July 13, 2015) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/state-court-findings-for-abused-youth-seeking-special-immigrant-juvenile-status * (70)
• Helping Survivors in Crisis: Hands-On Training for Advocates and Attorneys on Trauma-Informed Work with immigrant Women Who Are Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (February 24, 2014) (Tips from expert psychologist) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/hands-on-trauma-crisis-training ** (222)
• Access to Public Benefits
• Public Benefits and Services Legally Available to Immigrant Children and Victims – What Courts Need to Know (April 18, 2019) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/public-benefits-courts-webinar-4-18-19 * (201)
• Expanding the Toolbox for Children in Immigrant Families: Tips and Tools for Child Welfare and Children’s Courts” (March 23, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/mar-2021-ncjfcj ** (1071)

Materials by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services: Office of Policy and Strategy

Information from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office on Policy and Strategy (OP&S) appreciates your request for informative materials to share with the National Judicial Network.  Judges and court staff may be the first to see signs of violence and are in a unique position to provide information and assistance to noncitizens who have been victims of violence, human trafficking, or certain crimes.  Below we have included a list of helpful materials and the links to each resource.  The Policy Manual is the agency’s centralized online repository for USCIS’ immigration policies.  Judges may sign up to receive timely policy updates on the USCIS Alerts page or contact Public Engagement to participate in engagement and outreach activities.

Informative Pamphlets Appropriate for Public Distribution:

• Immigration Options for Victims of Crimes (Violence Against Women Act, U Nonimmigrant Status, T Nonimmigrant Status)+
• Immigration Relief for Abused Children: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status +
• Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) Continued Presence Pamphlet +

 USCIS Case Data

• Number of Form I-360 Petitions for Special Immigrant with Classification of Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) by Fiscal year, Quarter and Case Status (FY2022, Q1) +

 Relevant USCIS Public Webpages or Policy Manual Chapters

• USCIS Humanitarian Programs +
• Special Immigrant Juveniles +
  • Part J – USCIS Policy Manual Special Immigrant Juveniles +
  • Chapter 7- Adjustment of Status (Lawful Permanent Residency) Special Immigrant Juveniles +
• Victims of Trafficking +
• Policy Alert: T Nonimmigrant Status +
• Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status +
• Policy Alert: Bona Fide Determination Process for Victims of Qualifying Crimes +
• Battered Spouse, Children and Parents +
• Privacy and Confidentiality Provisions +

^***If you have difficulty accessing this publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org