Special immigrant juveniles, the law, and mental health abstract
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
Special Juvenile Immigrant Status (SIJS) is a federal program allowing undocumented immigrants under age 21 who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents to apply for permanent residence status. Successful applicants are protected from deportation. However, SIJS has its drawbacks. The criteria for SIJS means that the program might exacerbate preexisting trauma. A successful SIJS applicant might be separated from their family. An unsuccessful SIJS applicant might be deported. The process can be lengthy, complex, and expensive. Without a green card or deferred action by the USCIS, an applicant may not be able to work lawfully in the United States. What can and should be done to improve the SIJS program? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to understand it more fully. Using qualitative research methodology, from September 2024 through March 2025, I analyzed relevant sources from the disciplines of law and mental health. Those sources included statutes and regulations, scholarly articles, and government publications. I identified conflicting insights from each discipline, and by determining common ground between and integrating the insights per Repko and Szostak’s (2021) Interdisciplinary Research Process, I obtained a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. As a result of my research, I conclude that the SIJS program should be streamlined. The USCIS should update and clarify its SIJS guidelines. Congress should amend the program to permit successful applicants to petition on behalf of family members to lawfully remain in the country, something not currently allowed.
Special immigrant juveniles, the law, and mental health abstract
Special Juvenile Immigrant Status (SIJS) is a federal program allowing undocumented immigrants under age 21 who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents to apply for permanent residence status. Successful applicants are protected from deportation. However, SIJS has its drawbacks. The criteria for SIJS means that the program might exacerbate preexisting trauma. A successful SIJS applicant might be separated from their family. An unsuccessful SIJS applicant might be deported. The process can be lengthy, complex, and expensive. Without a green card or deferred action by the USCIS, an applicant may not be able to work lawfully in the United States. What can and should be done to improve the SIJS program? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to understand it more fully. Using qualitative research methodology, from September 2024 through March 2025, I analyzed relevant sources from the disciplines of law and mental health. Those sources included statutes and regulations, scholarly articles, and government publications. I identified conflicting insights from each discipline, and by determining common ground between and integrating the insights per Repko and Szostak’s (2021) Interdisciplinary Research Process, I obtained a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. As a result of my research, I conclude that the SIJS program should be streamlined. The USCIS should update and clarify its SIJS guidelines. Congress should amend the program to permit successful applicants to petition on behalf of family members to lawfully remain in the country, something not currently allowed.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.