Skip Navigation

Immigration Issues for Children in Juvenile Court

This training took place on June 10-11, 2009, in Norfolk and Lincoln in conjunction with our 2009 Lecture Series.

Watch the Training

  1. Overview
    An all-day seminar led by UCLA Law Faculty Kristen Jackson addressing immigration issues for children in juvenile court, including Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS) and other federal measures of relief.

  2. Training Summary

    In our increasingly diverse society, youth born in many countries find their way into the child welfare system. Some may be U.S. citizens, some may be citizens of other lands but have permission to live and work in the United States - while others are here in the U.S. without permission. To ensure that the best interests of all youth are served, it is crucial that those working within the child welfare system understand the basics of federal immigration law as it applies to children. This will help social workers to make sound recommendations to the court on dispositions and placements and to identify what state and federal benefits are available to youth. It will help attorneys, judges, and CASA volunteers understand the immigration consequences, and potential opportunities, that juvenile court involvement can create.

    To assist individuals in better serving the court and youth, this course will first cover the structure of the federal immigration system and the differences between different types of immigration statuses that youth might have. It then will cover the types of immigration relief available to youth so that those working with children may help identify immigration options that may serve their best interests - with a focus on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and U Visas. It will then explain the immigration consequences of juvenile delinquency dispositions, as well as when and how immigration holds may be placed on youth by the federal government and what federal removal procedures are. Finally, it will present current developments in immigration law relating to children and point out local and national immigration resources of use to trainees.

  3. Training Objectives

    At the completion of training, trainees will be able to:

    • Understand the structure of the federal immigration system
    • Know the differences between people who are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary residents and undocumented people, and identify youth as such
    • Situate Nebraska within the national picture of immigration
    • Identify potential immigration relief for undocumented youth and families
    • Assist a child in obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
    • Understand the immigration consequences of juvenile court dispositions for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and undocumented youth
    • Understand the limits of reporting undocumented youth to the federal government and handling detainers and removal procedures for youth
    • Follow developments in immigration law that relate to youth
    • Access national and local resources on immigration for youth



View the Flyer