USCIS Issues Guidance on Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification and Limited In-Person Filing

USCIS issued guidance to clarify how certain petitioners for special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) classification (or their representatives) may file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widower, or Special Immigrant. If the SIJ petitioner has less than two weeks before their 21st birthday, the petitioner may file Form I-360 in person at a USCIS field office, instead of filing by mail. Contact the USCIS Contact Center to request an expedited appointment. If the petitioner is not within two weeks of their 21st birthday, the Form I-360 must be filed by mail, according to the current filing instructions.

Children eligible for SIJ classification must file their petition by their 21st birthday. However, many face challenges filing on time because of juvenile court delays issuing the required judicial determinations or other circumstances. USCIS notes that allowing SIJ petitioners to file in person gives them another way to ensure USCIS receives their petition on time.

USCIS began this policy on March 30, 2023.