[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]

Special Immigrant Juvenile Petitions

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend
its regulations governing the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ)
classification, and related applications for adjustment of status to
permanent resident. The Secretary may grant SIJ classification to
aliens whose reunification with one or both parents is not viable due
to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under State
law. This proposed rule would require a petitioner to be under the age
of 21 only at the time of filing for SIJ classification. This proposed
rule would require that juvenile court dependency be in effect at the
time of filing for SIJ classification and continue through the time of
adjudication, unless the age of the juvenile prevents such continued
dependency. Aliens granted SIJ classification are eligible immediately
to apply for adjustment of status to that of permanent resident.