SIJ Law Protects Immigrant Kids

"Vasquez is now a permanent resident in the United States, thanks to a little-known immigration law that helps undocumented minors arriving alone in this country.  The law, officially known as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, was first enacted by Congress in 1990. In 2008, that law was expanded and reauthorized under new legislation.  According to the Department of Homeland Security, "the purpose of the SIJ program is to help foreign children in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected." Minors who are approved can live and work permanently in the United States.  Rebeca Salmon is an immigration attorney and the executive director of Access to Law, an organization that provides low-cost legal services. Salmon says that applying for this immigration benefit is difficult because you have to prove your case at the state and federal level.  "Not every kid that applies gets to stay. Not every kid who enters can even apply. You have to be abandoned, abused and neglected. You have to be without your parents. There are minimum requirements, but then there's also the rigorous process of immigration, so not every kid gets to stay," Salmon said." - Rafael Romo, CNN, June 30, 2014.