Are there any special considerations for a child to receive an immigrant visa as a refugee?

Yes, there are special considerations for a child to receive an immigrant visa as a refugee in Washington. As a general rule, a minor child must be under 21 years of age and unmarried to qualify for a refugee visa. In addition, the child must be a national of their country of origin in order for them to be eligible for a refugee visa. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides additional special provisions for a child to receive an immigrant visa as a refugee. A “child” is considered a person under the age of 21 who has not been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Under this definition, a child is considered a “special refugee” if they have been subjected to persecution or fear of persecution in their native country due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or social group. To qualify as a special refugee or “derivative refugee,” the child must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) the child must be unmarried and under the age of 21; (2) the child must have experienced a traumatic event that is associated with being a refugee; or (3) the child must have a parent or legal guardian who has been granted refugee status in the United States. Once the child meets one of these qualifications, they may be eligible for an immigrant visa in Washington. While every refugee case is unique, the USCIS provides several resources to help a child apply for a refugee visa. A child may seek the assistance of an immigration lawyer to help them with their application process.

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Los niños que buscan obtener una visa de inmigrante como refugiado pueden tener acceso a consideraciones especiales en el Estado de Washington. Estas consideraciones se aplican a través de leyes federales y estatales que proveen alivio de la deportación a niños no acompañados. Estas leyes buscan proporcionar refugio a personas que han huido de sus países debido a la violencia, guerra o persecución. Los niños que hayan ingresado al país legalmente y que cumplan con los requisitos establecidos, pueden solicitar la Residencia Permanente por Medio de Refugiado. Esta categoría de inmigración otorga un estatuto de protección a los refugiados que han huido de sus países de origen debido a temores fundados de sufrir persecución por razones de raza, religión, nacionalidad, pertenencia a un grupo social particular, o por haber sido víctimas de crímenes. Además, los niños víctimas de abuso, abandono o explotación, pueden también ser elegibles para el Título IV de la Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad. Esta ley proporciona un estatuto de protección temporal a niños que han huido de sus países de origen. En Washington, los niños también tienen acceso a consideraciones especiales a través de la Ley Estatal de Asilo de Menores de Washington (A-2663). Esta ley proporciona amparo legal a niños no acompañados y menores de edad para que permanezcan en el Estado, e incluso reciban beneficios federales, como Asilo Humanitario, Estatus de Protección Temporal, y Residencia Permanente. Es importante tener en cuenta que, como sucede con cualquier solicitud de inmigración, el proceso para obtener una visa de inmigrante como refugiado puede ser largo y difícil. Por esta razón, los solicitantes deben asesorarse con un abogado de inmigración para asegurar que sus solicitudes se tramiten de conformidad con las leyes aplicables.

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