The wait is finally over for many young immigrants seeking protection in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State’s latest Visa Bulletin has advanced in the EB-4 category for Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ). This important update means that young people whose SIJ petitions were filed on or before January 1, 2023 may now be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card).

For many SIJ applicants, this moment has been years in the making. The SIJ program was created to provide protection for children and young people in the United States who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. After receiving Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, applicants must wait for a visa number to become available before they can move forward with their green card application.

Because of high demand, the EB-4 category for SIJ applicants has experienced significant backlogs in recent years. The recent movement in the Visa Bulletin is therefore a major step forward for thousands of young people and their families.

If your SIJ petition was filed on or before January 1, 2023, you may now be able to take the next step and apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.

Every case is different, and it is important to review your eligibility carefully before filing. Our team at Jadeja-Cimone Law, PC is closely monitoring these developments and helping SIJ applicants understand their options.

If you believe you qualify, our office can guide you through the next stage of the process.

Call us today at (516) 414-0080 to schedule a consultation.

Jadeja-Cimone Law, PC proudly serves immigrant communities from our offices in Hempstead and Central Islip, New York.

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