SIJS Court Findings Checklist for Immigrant Youth

SIJS cases depend on both state court and USCIS steps. If the state court order lacks required language, USCIS may deny the I-360 petition.

Required SIJS findings

1. The child is unmarried and under 21 at filing.
2. Dependency, custody, or guardianship is established.
3. Reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
4. It is not in the child’s best interest to return to their country of nationality.

Filing strategy tips

• Coordinate family court and immigration timelines early.
• Use court order language aligned with federal SIJS standards.
• Preserve age-out protection by filing promptly.
• Build a consistent factual record for both courts.

Why precision matters

A strong SIJS strategy can protect vulnerable youth and create a path to lawful permanent residence when all procedural requirements are met.