Houston Juvenile Visas
At Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC, located in Houston, TX, we are dedicated to helping minors navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration laws. Juvenile Visas are a critical component of immigration relief for children and young adults who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through each step of the process, ensuring that the best interests of the child are always prioritized.
What is a Juvenile Visa?
Juvenile Visas, often referred to as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency (a Green Card) for minors under 21 years of age who have been subject to abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents. This immigration relief is designed to protect vulnerable children and provide them with a safe and stable environment in the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Juvenile Visa, the minor must meet the following criteria:
- Be under 21 years of age and unmarried.
- Have been declared dependent on a juvenile court, or placed under the custody of a state agency, department, or individual by such a court before the age of 18.
- The court must have determined that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
- It must be in the best interest of the minor to remain in the United States rather than be returned to their home country.
The SIJS Application Process
- State Court Findings: The process begins in a state juvenile court, where the court issues findings on the minor's eligibility for SIJS, including dependency or custody orders, and determinations regarding parental reunification and the minor's best interests. Must be completed prior to 18 years of age.
- Filing with USCIS: Once the state court order is obtained, the minor can apply for SIJS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using Form I-360. This step requires detailed documentation, including the state court findings and proof of the child's eligibility.
- Adjustment of Status: After SIJS approval, the next step is to apply for Adjustment of Status to become a lawful permanent resident. This involves filing Form I-485, along with supporting documents such as medical examinations and financial support evidence.
Why Choose Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC?
Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially when it involves the well-being of a child. At Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC, we have a compassionate and skilled team that understands the sensitive nature of Juvenile Visas. Our attorneys are committed to providing personalized legal services, ensuring that each case is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. We strive to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both minors and their families. We have also had success with this process and getting visas granted!
Contact Us
If you believe that a minor in your care may be eligible for a Juvenile Visa, contact Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC, today. Our team is ready to provide you with the guidance and support needed to protect the future of the child involved. Reach out to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing a safe and stable future for your loved one.
What Sets Us Apart
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Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association
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Client-Centered Advocacy
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Former ICE Experience
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Nearly 30 Years of Combined Experience
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Juvenile Visa, the minor must meet the following criteria:
- Be under 21 years of age and unmarried.
- Have been declared dependent on a juvenile court, or placed under the custody of a state agency, department, or individual by such a court before the age of 18.
- The court must have determined that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
- It must be in the best interest of the minor to remain in the United States rather than be returned to their home country.
Why Choose Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC?
Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially when it involves the well-being of a child. At Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC, we have a compassionate and skilled team that understands the sensitive nature of Juvenile Visas. Our attorneys are committed to providing personalized legal services, ensuring that each case is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. We strive to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both minors and their families. We have also had success with this process and getting visas granted!
Contact us
If you believe that a minor in your care may be eligible for a Juvenile Visa, contact Lopez & Rhodes, PLLC, today. Our team is ready to provide you with the guidance and support needed to protect the future of the child involved. Reach out to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing a safe and stable future for your loved one.
Get started by scheduling an appointment to speak with the Houston immigration attorneys at the firm.
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"I recommend Jennifer 100%"
Jennifer Lopez is an Awesome Attorney really cares about your case, very professional and super sweet. She also takes her time and is very honest I recommend Jennifer 100%!
- Grizz H. -
"Jennifer is the best"Jennifer is the best, very knowledgeable, and kind hearted. She truly cares about her clients. I know there are many lawyers around but after a thorough search and reading all her positive reviews, we choose her and she assisted us from the beginning to end. She also helped us with a payment plan & affordable pricing. Thanks Jennifer for all your help and getting my husband his residency.- Jennifer K.
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"Jennifer is fantastic in everyway"Put simply, Jennifer is fantastic in everyway. She is very knowledge, very friendly & warm, always smiling, and very patient. She made me feel very comfortable asking questions and did not feel rushed at all. She made sure to listen to all my questions and concerns during my initial consultation and answered all of them either immediately or after a few clicks on her computer. I have only been out of her office for 30 minutes and I've already recommend her to 2 family members :)- Sean A.
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"She actually cares"I had a really good experience with Jennifer Correro and her associates. From the beginning to the end everything went very smoothly and I always felt in good hands and haven't had much to worry about. Jennifer is super knowledgeable and even though she is crazy busy, she takes time for you and you can tell that she actually cares. Thank you!- Max Z.
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"I highly recommend her to anyone needing immigration-specific assistance"
Ms. Correro is extremely professional and goes above and beyond for her clients. Her friendly, even nature speaks volumes to her ability to think clearly and act appropriately on behalf of her clients. Her office is clean, efficient and professional - and she is easily accessible when needed. I highly recommend her to anyone needing immigration-specific assistance.
- Jessica C. -
"Trust your gut and go with Jennifer"Do yourself and your immigration case a favor and choose Jennifer! I needed a criminal immigration lawyer to assist me with applying for naturalization with two previous charges. She was extremely personable, knowledgeable, competent, and communicated every step of the way, and her staff was equally friendly and helpful. She explained processes and "what if" questions that helped me understand and ease my mind, and most of all, she gave me hope when other lawyers would not take my case. Our appointments were never rushed, and it felt like she truly cared. Plus, her initial consultation fee and fee for services were actually reasonable and less expensive compared to the other top-rated Houston criminal immigration attorney we first went to who took my consult money without taking my case. Trust your gut and go with Jennifer! You will not be disappointed.- Nico S.
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"She is kind and very knowledgeable"
Jennifer Correro is an amazing lawyer! She helped with my case and everything was smooth and very fast. He is kind and very knowledgeable. I totally recommend her.
- Betty T. -
"Attorney Jennifer’s firm did it for a very nominal fee"
I was filing for I-130 which I filled out myself and I just wanted an attorney to do a document review. Most of the attorneys I talked to wanted $500-1000 to do the review. Attorney Jennifer’s firm did it for a very nominal fee. I highly recommend her.
- Robin M.
