Tell Gov. Spanberger to Sign HB667
The bill attempts to address the misalignment of Virginia law and federal law regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).
Under federal law, SIJS requires:
- A state court custody order
- A finding of abuse, abandonment or neglect
- A finding that returning to the home country is not in the child’s best interest
However, many states, including Virginia, limit juvenile court jurisdiction to minors under 18, making it difficult for some young people to obtain these findings. HB 667 allows Virginia juvenile and domestic relations courts to issue these orders for individuals aged 18-21 who are noncitizens, unmarried and who were abused, abandoned or neglected.
What the bill does
- Allow vulnerable noncitizen youth who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected between ages 18 and 21 to petition the court for physical custody
- Allows the individual to also request court findings required for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) under federal immigration law
- Provides the first step for a pathway to a green card and possible protection from deportation
- Provides safety and stability
HB 667 (Del. Maldonado) will align Virginia law with federal law to provide a pathway to Special Immigrant Juvenile status for undocumented youth 18 to 21 years old who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. This federal protection allows vulnerable immigrant youth to find safety and stability here in Virginia. Virginia law should not stand in the way of that protection. We urge Governor Spanberger to make clear—we will protect Virginia’s future.
