Young Migrants Get a Better Chance to Rebuild Their Lives

The United States has revised its policies to make it easier for under 21-year-old migrants who come from a violent past to obtain their legal residency, thus giving them a better opportunity to rebuild their lives.

“These policies will provide humanitarian protection to vulnerable young people for whom a juvenile court has determined that it is in their best interest to remain in the United States,” says Ur Jaddou, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The USCIS has decided to expand the pool of individuals eligible for the “Special Immigrant Juvenile” status — any minor under the age of 21 may apply — and clarify the evidence needed to support the application. Created in 1990, the program contributes to the protection of underage individuals for whom it would be unsafe to go back to their home countries. Since 2010, more than 130,000 applications have been approved.