Abuses reported in the Special Immigrant Youth program in 2025
The USCIS published a report warning of serious vulnerabilities in the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program. According to the report, hundreds of gang members and violent criminals took advantage of this legal pathway to obtain permanent residency and, eventually, US citizenship.
In addition, the report indicates that individuals with false identities were able to gain access to residency through this benefit. The program was originally designed to protect abused, neglected, or abandoned minors.
In light of this situation, the government is evaluating new measures to strengthen the integrity of the program. The goal is to ensure that only young people who have truly been victims of abuse or neglect can benefit from this immigration pathway.
Origin of the Special Immigrant Youth program
Congress created the SIJ program in 1990 with the aim of protecting foreign minors who had suffered abuse, mistreatment, or neglect. These young people had been denied reunification with one or both parents by US juvenile courts.
Over time, the program underwent several changes. As a result, it became possible to apply for permanent residency and, ultimately, obtain US citizenship.
What this means for legitimate immigration cases
While the report highlights serious fraud and security issues, it also makes one fundamental point clear. There are young people who genuinely need the protection of the SIJ program.
In these cases, an immigration psychological evaluation can be key to demonstrating the emotional and psychological impact. These clinical reports help judges and USCIS understand the human dimension behind the petition and can make the difference between an approved and a rejected application.
The new USCIS report on the SIJ program highlights the current challenges to maintaining the integrity of the immigration system. However, for those with a legitimate case, it is now more important than ever to have reliable documentation and professional evaluations to support the petition.
At Carla Parola Counseling, we offer psychological evaluations for immigration purposes that help validate experiences of abuse, mistreatment, or neglect in young immigrants. These evaluations strengthen cases before USCIS and lend credibility to the process.
Schedule your evaluation today
and ensure that your case has the professional support it needs.
