The number of unaccompanied minor children coming to the United States to escape abuse in the home, gang violence and extreme poverty in their home country has more than doubled in the past year. Many such children are eligible for a special protection available under the immigration laws for children who have experienced parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment, called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).  Before a child can apply for SIJS, there must first be a juvenile or family court action where special findings are made concerning the child.  The morning portion of this training will provide practitioners with the tools to represent the proposed custodian of an unaccompanied child in Minnesota family court in seeking a custody order, thereby providing stability and permanency for the family and giving the child a pathway to seek relief under the immigration laws.  The afternoon portion of the training will focus on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and will give practitioners tools for representing unaccompanied children who are eligible for this special form of immigration relief.

Trainers:

• Tom Walsh, Resource Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers Network
• Rebecca Scholtz, Staff Attorney, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Registration:
For more information and to register, click here.