Cesar* is 13 years old and from El Salvador. He does not know his mother. To the best of his knowledge, he has never met her or seen her, and they have never spoken on the phone. He knows she is alive but does not know where she is. Cesar had a good relationship with his father, but he died years ago from an unknown illness. Cesar lived with his maternal grandmother and his older half-sister, who supported the family financially. Because Cesar’s grandmother is ill and unable to care for him any longer, Cesar joined his older sister when she decided to come to the U.S. Cesar lives with a cousin, who is also his immigration sponsor, and other relatives in Virginia and wants to remain here with them.

As a result of his mother’s neglect and abandonment, Cesar is eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). SIJS is available to unaccompanied immigrant children who cannot be reunified with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. SIJS requires three approvals, one from a state family court and two from USCIS. Because a state family court order is required, the attorney who represents Cesar will need to be barred in Virginia or obtain court permission to appear pro hac vice.

All Amica Center matters placed with a pro bono team are robustly mentored by an Amica Center attorney. Our mentoring program includes an opening meeting to discuss the scope and process of the matter, provision of samples, guidance on the law, review of draft filings, assistance with client contact, and guidance on preparation for interviews and hearings.

• Location: Woodbridge, VA — not detained, living with relatives

• Language: Spanish – will require a fluent Spanish-speaking pro bono team member or an external interpreter/translator 

For more information about this case, please contact Pro Bono Managing Attorney Jennifer Grishkin at jennifer@amicacenter.org.

*Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy