Jairo* is 12 years old and from El Salvador. He has never known who his biological father is and has never heard from him or received financial support. The only thing that Jairo knows about his father (from a conversation he overheard) is that he mistreated his mother while she was pregnant with him. Growing up, he lived with mother until she had to leave to the United States and then lived with his grandparents. However, because of his grandparents’ declining health and longing to be with his mother, Jairo recently came to the United States to be reunited.
As a result of his father’s abandonment, Jairo 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 Jairo will need to be barred in Maryland or obtain court permission to appear pro hac vice.
All CAIR Coalition matters placed with a pro bono team are robustly mentored by a CAIR Coalition 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.
Special Consideration: Jairo’s mother does not want him to know some things yet, so the attorney who represents him will need to proceed with empathy and work with the family to ensure that the relevant facts are disclosed in an appropriate way when required for the case.
Location: Baltimore, MD -- not detained, living with his mother
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@caircoalition.org or 202-866-9287
*Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy
