Being an undocumented young person in the United States and trying to navigate accessing a green card can be overwhelming. And on top of that, some young people may deal with harmful relationships with their parents or guardians, leading to more stress in understanding their pathway to remaining in the United States.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a form of immigration relief created to support young people who have a harmful relationship with one or more of their parents and would like to pursue a pathway to getting a green card. The process is complicated and young people need information to make an informed decision as well as the support of a lawyer to navigate the different steps. Without both, the result is a missed opportunity for many young people to apply to remain in the United States and pursue a future they can feel confident about.
CUP worked with The Door and designer Grace Han to create a fold-out poster in English, Spanish, and French called Here to Stay! The guide breaks down what SIJS is, the criteria to qualify, the process young people need to work through with the support of a lawyer, and the long-term benefits of SIJS. With this information, young people who are undocumented and interested in staying in the United States can understand SIJS as an opportunity and decide for themselves if they want to pursue this pathway, with the support of a lawyer, to a green card.