US Considering Deferring Deportation for Some Illegal Immigrant Minors Over Abuse, Neglect Concerns

Unaccompanied child immigrants are seen at the site of a former oil field workers camp which is being used as a temporary housing facility in Midland County, Texas on April 8, 2021. Paul Ratje/Reuters

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday said they are considering deferring the deportation of illegal immigrant children who are subject to state juvenile court proceedings related to “abuse, neglect, abandonment” to better protect them.

The policy update will expand the number of children in the United States who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status.