National Judicial Network Webinar – In the Best Interest of Children: The State Courts’ Role in Safeguarding Vulnerable Immigrant Youth (August 10, 2026)

The State Courts’ Role in Safeguarding Vulnerable Immigrant Youth (PowerPoint)

Description

State juvenile and family courts play a uniquely vital role in the federal immigration system, particularly in cases involving noncitizen children and youth who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent. For these children, the first mandatory step in toward securing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is obtaining a state court order containing factual findings that the child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected. Similarly, when immigrant children and youth have suffered human trafficking, child abuse, sexual assault or other crimes in the United States, Congress empowers judges to issue U visa certifications, which are required before the child or their parent can file for U visa crime victim protections.

Designed specifically for judges, court staff, and child victims’ attorneys, this national webinar discusses best practices that promote just and fair outcomes for vulnerable immigrant children and youth, including swift issuance of well written court orders containing SIJS judicial determinations. Presenters highlight current policies that impact SIJS eligible children and explore how obtaining judicial certifications and applying for U visas can enhance safety and protection from deportation for SIJS applicant children.

Faculty

  • Hon. Susan Breall, Superior Court of San Francisco, CA
  • Veronica T. Thronson, Visiting Clinical Professor, Immigration & Human Rights Clinic, University of Minnesota Law School 
  •   David B. Thronson, Professor of Law, Michigan State University College of Law
  • Leslye E. Orloff, Adjunct Professor and Director, NIWAP, American University Washington College of Law 

The National Judicial Network

The NJN provides a forum for judges to engage in peer-to-peer learning sessions with judges from across the country, participate in webinars, communicate with other judges in a participants-only confidential email group, access topic-specific publications, and attend future in-person trainings on issues that arise in state courts involving human trafficking and immigrant victims.

How to Find Programs with Expertise Serving Immigrant Children & Survivors in Your State

Programs with expertise serving immigrant victims

Public Benefit Charts

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and State Courts

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Bench Book

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Case Law

When an SIJS Eligible Child May Be Involved In Criminal Activities

Child Protective Services Toolkit

Immigration Relief for Immigrant Survivors

Promoting Access to Justice for Immigrant Families

Published August 11, 2026