Client Story: Nicolasa - Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

The work of the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley (IRCSGV/IRC) is done en conjunto—in collaboration with—many volunteers, community partners and skilled attorneys. As a result, the IRC has created a network (far bigger than originally imagined) of trusted practitioners that provide comprehensive services to our immigrant neighbors with dignity, empathy, compassion and diligence.

One of the amazing attorneys that we get to work en conjunto with is attorney and former board member, Alma Puente and her associate, attorney Dulce Velazquez.It was thanks to their swift and diligent work that Nicolasa (not her real name), a 20 year old woman who was formally without immigration status, was able to receive Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJS) status. Nicolasa had come to the United States after tragically losing her mother and when she arrived in the United States, her father also passed away.

Before coming to the IRC, Nicolasa had seen an immigration attorney who promised to help her but was charging her thousands of dollars while nothing of substance was ever done with her case. Looking for help, Nicolasa was recommended by a friend to the IRC.

When Nicolasa came to the IRC, the legal team recognized that she was a candidate to apply for SIJS and had not applied for that specific relief before. We referred Nicolasa to attorney Puente’s office who personally met with Nicolasa who was under the time constraint of getting her case solved before aging out at 21. Alma and her team were able to find a way to expedite the case in order for Nicolasa to be served within the deadline.

The swift referral and having a network of trusted immigration attorneys made it possible for Nicolasa to get the help needed, rin the nick of time. For that, we are so, so thankful for the continued work and diligence of our friends, Alma Puente and Dulce Velazquez.

Art Credit: Anna Alvarado