Does this sound familiar?
Many families are told that without a lawyer there is nothing to be done, and the process stops there. The reality is different: the state court order can be requested on your own, and courts are required to serve self-represented people — though the case does need to be well understood, because a judge must make three specific findings about the young person's situation. What is usually missing isn't a lawyer: it's clarity on which court applies based on the young person's age and state, which documents to gather, and how to chain the three phases — court order, I-360 petition, and adjustment of status — before the young person turns 21.
What is Juvenile Visa?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a protection for young people under 21, unmarried, living in the United States who suffered abuse, abandonment or neglect by one or both parents. The process has THREE phases: (1) a state court order — the "predicate order", (2) the classification petition before USCIS (Form I-360), and (3), if approved, adjustment of status (Form I-485), the final step toward permanent residency. A fact almost no one explains: Phase 1 is NOT legally required to have an attorney. Anyone can file on their own (pro se) using their court's self-help center. Here we explain the full path with official sources — with Minnesota's specifics, where we operate — and we prepare the document package for the phases before USCIS.
The three phases, explained.
With this you can understand the full process and decide your next step — you don't need a call to know where to start.
Phase 1 · The predicate order
Requested in the state court of the county where the young person lives — not an immigration court. The exact court depends on their age and state.
In Minnesota, by age
Under 18: Family Court, requesting third-party custody or minor guardianship. 18 to 20: Probate or Juvenile Court, with "At-Risk Juvenile Guardianship" (Minn. Stat. ch. 257D), created for this age group before turning 21.
The 4 steps to the order
A trusted adult files the petition; the biological parents are notified, even if abroad; a hearing is held with evidence of the abuse or abandonment; and the judge signs the findings required by federal law.
You don't need a lawyer by law
You can file on your own (pro se). Courts have free self-help centers and forms designed for people without an attorney.
Phase 2 · I-360 petition before USCIS
With the order in hand, Form I-360 is filed requesting special immigrant juvenile classification, before the young person turns 21. Fee: $250 USD.
Phase 3 · Adjustment of Status (I-485)
If USCIS approves the I-360, the final step is Form I-485 to request permanent residency — it can be filed together with the I-360 if a visa is immediately available.
Live outside Minnesota?
Each state court's age limit varies: in some states the court loses authority at 18, in others it extends to 21. Confirm it with your local court's self-help center or Project Lifeline's state-by-state database.
This is for you if…
Under 21 and unmarried
The protection applies before turning 21 and while unmarried.
Suffered abuse, abandonment or neglect
By one or both parents, inside or outside the U.S.
With the court order or about to request it
Already has it, or will request it — on their own or accompanied.
Family members or guardians in charge
A responsible adult accompanies the young person through the process.
The requirements and the three phases of the process are defined by the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 6, Part J) and, for the court order, by each state's own law:
Primary source: USCIS Policy Manual — Special Immigrant Juveniles ↗
Everything we prepare with you.
Full explanation of the three phases of the process, with official sources, right on this page
Minnesota's specific route by age, with its 4 steps for the guardianship order
Complete organization of the young person's file (identity, presence in the U.S., court order)
Preparation of the I-360 petition and the I-485 adjustment of status before USCIS
Certified translation of documents in Spanish
Administrative follow-up of both petitions
What this solution does not include.
A clear process, step by step.
You write to us
Tell us your situation through whichever channel you prefer and we explain, at no cost, the scope and the limits of what we do.
Document gathering
You get a clear checklist of what we need, and we answer your questions while you gather it.
Package preparation
We prepare the forms and organize the evidence into a complete, well-ordered package.
Review with you
We review everything with you before filing: nothing goes out without your confirmation.
Filing and follow-up
You get clear instructions for filing and for every stage that comes after.
Clear costs, no fine print.
León & Asociados is not a law firm. The law does not require an attorney to request the state court order: you can file on your own using your court's self-help center. Our work is explaining the process with official sources and preparing the phases before USCIS.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to start your case?
You already have the full explanation of the three phases with their official sources. If you decide to move forward, contact us to prepare the I-360 petition or the adjustment of status — no prior call needed to understand the process.
Legal notice
León & Asociados LLC es una empresa de consultoría profesional registrada en el estado de Minnesota. Ofrecemos dos líneas de solución: (1) preparación de formularios y documentación migratoria, y (2) consultoría en optimización de procesos, análisis de datos, metodología Lean Six Sigma y automatización.
León & Asociados LLC NO es una firma de abogados y ninguno de sus representantes es abogado, ingeniero profesional licenciado (PE), ni asesor legal o financiero.
Las soluciones de preparación migratoria se limitan a la organización y preparación de formularios conforme a las instrucciones oficiales de USCIS; no constituyen asesoría legal de ningún tipo. Las soluciones de consultoría técnica se basan en metodologías de mejora de procesos y análisis de datos; no constituyen práctica profesional de ingeniería regulada.
Para asuntos que requieran representación legal migratoria o soluciones de ingeniería profesional licenciada, León & Asociados LLC recomienda consultar con un abogado de inmigración licenciado o un ingeniero profesional (PE) con licencia activa.
León & Asociados LLC is a professional consulting firm registered in the state of Minnesota. We offer two lines of service: (1) preparation of immigration forms and documentation, and (2) consulting in process optimization, data analysis, Lean Six Sigma methodology, and automation.
León & Asociados LLC is NOT a law firm, and none of its representatives is an attorney, licensed professional engineer (PE), or legal or financial advisor.
Immigration preparation solutions are limited to the organization and preparation of forms in accordance with the official USCIS instructions; they do not constitute legal advice of any kind. Technical consulting solutions are based on process-improvement methodologies and data analysis; they do not constitute the regulated professional practice of engineering.
For matters requiring legal immigration representation or licensed professional engineering solutions, León & Asociados LLC recommends consulting a licensed immigration attorney or a professional engineer (PE) with an active license.
León & Asociados LLC · Professional consulting · Not a law firm or licensed engineering firm · Minnesota, USA