In the latest US immigration news, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a detailed report exposing significant national security and integrity vulnerabilities within the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program.
Originally established in 1990, the SIJ classification was designed to protect minors in the United States who cannot reunify with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. However, the new USCIS findings reveal that the program has been exploited far beyond its original intent.
Key Findings from the Report
Covering more than 300,000 SIJ petitions filed from 2013 through February 2025, the report highlights several alarming trends:
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More than half of SIJ applicants in fiscal year 2024 were over the age of 18.
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Many petitioners entered the United States without inspection and some originated from countries flagged for national security concerns.
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Numerous cases involved age or identity fraud, with falsified names, birth dates, and even citizenship claims.
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USCIS identified 853 known or suspected gang members among SIJ petitioners, including over 600 linked to MS‑13, more than 100 from the 18th Street gang, and others connected to Tren de Aragua, Sureños, and Norteños.
National Security Concerns and Policy Response
USCIS stated that these loopholes have allowed criminal aliens and gang members to secure lawful permanent residence and even U.S. citizenship. The agency rescinded a policy in June 2025 that had previously allowed deferred action for special immigrant juveniles. Further measures are now being considered to strengthen screening, address fraud, and ensure the SIJ classification remains focused on the vulnerable children it was designed to protect.
What This Means for US Immigration Policy
This report underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing humanitarian programs with national security and public safety. As the U.S. government evaluates further actions, stakeholders and policy watchers will be looking closely at how the SIJ program evolves.
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