This document addresses the most frequently asked questions that come up during judicial trainings for state court judges on SIJS findings of fact and conclusions of law needed by immigrant children filing Special Immigrant Juvenile State petitions. It address best practices for drafting state court orders and is up to date through April 2023 and covers the 2022 SIJS regulations as well as information contained in the SIJS policy manual issued by USCIS.

This document provides the amicus brief filed by NIWAP on March 21, 2022 to the California Supreme Court in support of the petitioner in In re Guardianship of Saul H. This case originated when a state probate trial court that refused to issue a predicate order to an immigrant child who suffered abuse and neglect perpetrated by his parents. Despite the uncontroverted evidence about the abuse and neglect by Saul’s parents, the probate court denied his request of SIJS findings. Saul appealed and the Court of Appeals affirmed, and ultimately the California Supreme Court reversed, with all justices concurring. In In re Guardianship of Saul H., the California Supreme Court provides very helpful clarification and direction that will assist trial courts and appellate courts in California and nationally for state courts carrying out their Congressionally assigned role issuing predicate orders that are a required of immigrant children filing SIJS applications. This amicus brief can also be a useful training tool.

This report has been developed to highlight issues that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services should consider as it issues regulations governing implementation of recent legislative improvements to the protections available under immigration law offering Special Immigrant Juvenile Status to abused, abandoned and neglected children. Our work is focused on four key areas, all of which are vital to alleviating poverty and improving the health and safety of immigrant women: immigration policies; economic empowerment; justice system relief for immigrant women; and rights and protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. The ultimate agenda is to provide training, technical assistance, advocacy, research, materials and up to date information on government policies and best practices so that advocates, lawyers, police, prosecutors, judges and other professionals have the tools they need to help immigrant women, children and crime victims access the services, justice system and immigration relief, health care, housing, educational opportunities, benefits and other assistance they are legally entitled to receive. NIWAP works with professionals inside and outside of government to forge innovative solutions that improve legal protections and access to justice for immigrant women and children in the United States.