Are there any special circumstances that allow a child to stay in the U.S.?

There are special circumstances that may allow a child to stay in the United States. One of the most commonly cited is the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). This allows a court-ordered guardianship to be established for children in the U.S. if they have been abandoned, neglected, or abused by a parent. It also requires that it is not in the child’s best interests to be returned to the home country. Additionally, the Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) program provides assistance and protection to children who have been separated from their parents in their home country and are trying to enter or remain in the U.S. A child can also be eligible for asylum if they are fleeing persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. In California, there are also several state-specific special circumstances that can allow a child to stay in the U.S., including California Dream Act, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Immigrant Child Welfare Act, and Education Protection Act, to name a few. Each of these programs will require different eligibility criteria and paperwork to be completed in order for a child to be eligible. It is important to speak to a qualified immigration attorney to understand your legal options for a child to stay in the United States.

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Existen varias circunstancias especiales que permiten a los niños permanecer en los Estados Unidos. El Derecho de Inmigración es complicado y los casos individuales requieren asesoramiento profesional. Pero hay algunas oportunidades limitadas disponibles para aquellos que cumplan con los requisitos de ciertos programas de inmigración. Por ejemplo, los niños que han sido víctimas de abuso, negligencia y/o abandono pueden solicitar la clasificación de Beneficiario de la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA, por sus siglas en inglés). Esto les permitirá a los niños permanecer legalmente en los Estados Unidos para trabajar y estudiar, bajo ciertas condiciones. También hay algunas oportunidades limitadas disponibles para aquellos niños cuyos padres son ciudadanos estadounidenses o residentes permanentes legales. Los niños pueden solicitar la clasificación de Beneficiario de la Acción Permanente para Llegados en la Infancia (API, por sus siglas en inglés). Esto les permitirá a los niños obtener una tarjeta verde y los derechos de un ciudadano legal. Además, los niños que han sufrido violencia doméstica o tráfico pueden ser elegibles para obtener una visa de víctimas de violencia (U-visa). Esta visa les permitirá a los niños permanecer legalmente en los Estados Unidos y obtener un trabajo y protección legal. Por lo tanto, hay varias circunstancias especiales que permiten a los niños a permanecer en los Estados Unidos. Aunque cada caso es único, es importante buscar asesoramiento profesional para identificar cualquier oportunidad disponible para los niños.

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