Currently, DC and federal law are misaligned in a way that harms vulnerable immigrant youth aged 18 up to 21 living in DC. Existing federal law allows abandoned, abused, or neglected immigrant youth under age 21 who are placed in the custody of an individual or entity, or are otherwise dependent on a state court, to seek legal status through a humanitarian visa called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). However, without the necessary court findings, youth cannot petition the federal government for SIJS.
