Welcome to the Youth Hub!
Are you a youth who has applied for special immigrant juvenile status and are still waiting for your turn to apply for your green card? Below you will find information about the SIJS backlog, deferred action, and higher education resources for undocumented students.
There are many ways for impacted youth to get involved in our work! From meeting with members of Congress to ask them to end the backlog, to attending one of our community gatherings or working group meetings or by staying engaged with our social media platforms, the Coalition needs your voice!
To learn more about ways to get involved with the End SIJS Backlog Coalition and connect with other youth, fill out our interest form!
If you have any questions or would like to see additional resources on this page, you can contact the coalition’s Youth Organizer at alejandra@nipnlg.org or (202) 216-8262.
Youth Resources
Understanding SIJS Resources
The resources below explain what Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is and what the SIJS Backlog is.
Youth with SIJS spend a lot of time visiting the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin webpage to find out if they can apply for a Green Card yet. They are often confused about what the different parts of the bulletin mean and how exactly to find out where they are in line to get their Green Cards. Due to the confusing nature of the visa bulletin and direct feedback from SIJS youth, the End SIJS Backlog Coalition has created the resources below for SIJS youth.
Visa Bulletin Resources
3-Part Video Resource about the Visa Bulletin
The following videos get into everything you need to know in order to understand the visa bulletin. Each video builds off of the information presented in the previous one. We highly recommend you watch all of the videos in order.
Video 1: SIJS Background and the Backlog
This first video covers what you need to know about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, what the SIJS backlog is, and why it exists.
Video 2: Explaining Visas and the Defining the Visa Bulletin
This second video will focus on what visas and the visa bulletin are, and an explanation of all the different parts of the visa bulletin.
Video 3: A Step-by-Step on How to Actually Read the Visa Bulletin
This final video uses information from the first two videos to give you a step by step breakdown of how to correctly read the visa bulletin.
Written Explainer about the Visa Bulletin
This written explainer accompanies our video resources and gives you a step by step breakdown of how to check the Visa Bulletin correctly! Make sure to watch the videos too!
Are you still confused about the Visa Bulletin? Our Youth Organizer, Alejandra, is here for you! Email, alejandra@nipnlg.org, or text, (202) 216-8262 for some 1:1 help!
Deferred Action Resources
How to check your case online for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS) in the USCIS website
The Deferred Action policy started to be implemented on May 6, 2022. Below is a guide and a video on how to check the status of your case online.
1st step: Visit this website https://www.uscis.gov
2nd step: Click where it says “tools” at the top right-hand corner.
3rd step: Scroll down to where it says “Case status online,” then click on it.
4th step: Here you will see a blank asking to enter your receipt number. Your receipt number should start with the letters MSC on your SIJS petition receipt or approval notice (Form I-797).
I have my Deferred Action approval notice. What happens now?
Knowledge is power.
Are you a youth affected by deferred action but confused about what comes next? The End SIJS Backlog Coalition's youth leaders, Geo and Maria, created a video about deferred action and employment authorization for you. Learn more and empower yourself in the process by watching the video here.
Higher Education Resources
There are several different paths impacted youth can take after high school. We recommend checking out these educational resources to help you assess your options for continuing your education after high school.
Informed Immigrant
A digital hub with an accessible resources library and information for the undocumented community in the United States.
Immigrants Rising
An organization that offers support and resources for undocumented students in California and on a national scale.
Higher Ed Immigration Portal
This portal is an online hub of resources that has tuition and financial aid information for all 50 states.
Scholarship Resources
SIJS youth do not qualify for federal financial aid, thus making it challenging to afford higher education. Scholarships provide an alternative source of funding and help break down financial barriers. Below you will find links for national scholarships and scholarship databases.
USAHello has a scholarship page that lists national and state scholarships, scholarships that are specific by fields of learning and ones that are specific by nationalities and groups.
Immigrants Rising has a list of scholarships and fellowships that do not require proof of U.S. citizenship. Make sure to search for scholarships that allow any immigration status as some scholarships listed may require DACA or TPS status.
Golden Door Scholars is a financial aid program open to undocumented students in the United States. High school seniors, recent high school graduates, and current college students are eligible for this program.
To learn more about ways to get involved with the End SIJS Backlog Coalition and connect with other youth, fill out our interest form!
If you have any questions or would like to see additional resources on this page, you can contact the coalition’s Youth Organizer at alejandra@nipnlg.org or (202) 216-8262.