FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE GRANTED THE GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS AND MADE FINDINGS ENABLING THE CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATE (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined the guardianship petitions should have been granted and findings enabling the children to apply for special immigrant juvenile status should have been made:
… [T]he record supports a finding that the children are under the age of 21 and unmarried, and, since we have appointed the petitioner as the children’s guardian, the children are dependent on a juvenile court within the meaning of 8 USC § 1101(a)(27)(J)(i) … . Further, based upon our independent factual review, the record supports a finding that the children’s father is deceased, and therefore, reunification is not possible … . Lastly, the record supports a finding that it would not be in the best interests of the children to return to El Salvador, their previous country of nationality or country of last habitual residence … . Matter of Jose S. S. G. (Norma C. G. C.), 2023 NY Slip Op 03350, Second Dept 6-21-23
Practice Point: The criteria for enabling children’s applications for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS) explained in some depth.