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

Yes, there are special circumstances that allow a child to stay in the U.S. For example, under the U.S. immigration law, a child may be given special consideration to remain in the U.S. if they are a victim of trafficking or of certain crimes such as domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, and stalking. In addition, a child may be granted permission to stay in the U.S. if they have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by one or both of his or her parents, if they are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), or if they are the victim of a serious crime. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, children who were brought to the U.S. by their parents as children and who have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, may also be eligible for protection from removal and work authorization. Other programs such as the U Visa and the T Visa may also provide protection from removal and work authorization for children who are victims of certain crimes. In Washington, there are also some specific laws and programs that protect the rights of children facing possible removal or deportation. For example, Washington law requires school districts to provide an attorney for any student facing removal or deportation proceedings, and some local programs offer free assistance to children in removal proceedings. In conclusion, there are a number of special circumstances that allow a child to stay in the U.S., such as those mentioned previously. It is important to note, however, that the requirements to qualify for any of these programs can be complex, and an individual should contact an immigration lawyer or other qualified legal professional to ensure they are eligible for the protections they need.

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En Washington, hay dos importantes leyes que otorgan beneficios especiales a los niños migrantes o sus padres. Estas leyes aplican para niños que llegaron a los Estados Unidos en cualquier momento antes del 15 de junio de 2012. Primero, hay el programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA, por sus siglas en inglés). Esto permite a los niños que llegaron antes de los 16 años que se queden en los Estados Unidos sin ser deportados inmediatamente. La otra ley es el Estatuto de Protección del Niño Migrante (CSPA, por sus siglas en inglés). Esta ley protege a los niños que llegaron a los Estados Unidos antes de la edad de 21 años. Estos niños son elegibles para una visa de inmigrante si sus padres ya tienen una visa de inmigrante aprobada. Estos niños también pueden solicitar un estatus de no inmigrante si sus padres lo desean. Existen también leyes especiales para los niños que han sido expuestos a maltrato o abuso. Estos niños tienen la opción de solicitar el estatus de víctima de trata de personas (TVP) o el estatus de refugiado. El TVP permite a las personas que han sufrido maltrato, abuso o explotación dentro de los Estados Unidos obtener protección legal. La solicitud de estatus de víctima de trata requiere la aprobación de la Oficina de Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés). El estatus de refugiado también puede otorgarse a los niños si pueden demostrar que han sufrido persecución política o religiosa en su país de origen.

Related FAQs

Are children able to apply for the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program?
What is the difference between family-based immigration and employment-based immigration?
Is there a minimum age requirement to apply for immigration as a child?
Is a child able to return to their home country while their adjustment of status application is in process?
Are there any exemptions from the green card application fee for children?
Does a child need to attend an interview when applying for green card?
Are certain countries eligible for certain types of visas for children?
Is a child eligible for a 212(d)(3) visa waiver if they have been deemed inadmissible?
Are there any special circumstances that allow a child to stay in the U.S.?
Are there any exceptions to the five-year residency requirement for children for naturalization?

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