This Week in Immigration

USCIS updated its policies on automatic consideration of deferred action for special immigrant juveniles

For special immigrant juveniles

Special immigrant juvenile status is a form of relief available to unaccompanied minors.  While the application process is lengthy, it lays a foundation for permanent residency down the line.  Once granted the status, however, a visa is often not immediately available for special immigrant juveniles (“SIJ”).  This leaves many SIJs in an immigration limbo for months or even years before they can apply for a green card. 

To help smoothen the transition, USCIS used to offer automatic deferred action for SIJs.  This policy allowed them to apply for work permit and live in the U.S. in relative peace until they become permanent resident

Such automatic deferred action will become a thing of the past.  USCIS issued a recent policy memo stating that deferred actions are no longer automatic.  SIJs may still affirmatively apply for deferred action, which adds procedural burden to an already burdensome application process.