In June 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) terminated deferred action for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) recipients without warning, leaving vulnerable young people exposed to deportation while they wait for their green cards.
If you’re caring for a child with SIJS or are a young immigrant with an approved SIJS petition, this affects you directly.
Below, we explain what happened, what protections remain and what steps to take now. If you need legal guidance, contact us today. Gillespie Law Group, LLC can help.
What Was Deferred Action for SIJS?
Deferred action for immigrant youth was temporary relief that was previously available to young people with approved SIJS petitions. It served as protection while they waited in the visa backlog to apply for permanent residency.
Here’s how it worked: Once USCIS approved a child’s SIJS petition, they could request deferred action — a promise from the government not to initiate deportation proceedings. This protection typically lasted two years and was renewable.
Deferred action also allowed recipients to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It’s important to understand that SIJS didn’t give you a work permit automatically — the work permit came through a separate application.
What Were the Benefits of Deferred Action?
The benefits of deferred action with SIJS were significant: Young people could apply to work legally, get driver’s licenses in most states and live without constant fear of deportation while waiting for a visa number. For many, it meant the ability to support themselves during the long wait for permanent residency.
What Changed in June 2025: USCIS Terminates SIJS Deferred Action
In June 2025, USCIS terminated its practice of granting deferred action for SIJS recipients, effective immediately. This means that SIJS children cannot get deferred action while waiting for a green card anymore.
The policy change came without the typical public comment period or advance warning. USCIS simply stopped accepting new deferred action requests from SIJS-approved youth and ceased renewing existing grants set to expire.
This has particularly devastating consequences for youth from countries with severe visa backlogs. While SIJS can lead to a green card, the path isn’t immediate. Many young people face waits before they can file for permanent residency, depending on their country of birth. During this waiting period, they were previously protected by deferred action. Now, that safety net is gone.
Impact on Youth With Existing Deferred Action
If a young person already had deferred action when this policy took effect, that grant remains valid until its expiration date. USCIS has not revoked existing deferred action grants. However, once the current grant expires, it cannot be renewed. This means you can be deported even if you have SIJS.
After SIJS is approved for new applicants, there is now a significant protection gap. And for those whose deferred action is expiring soon, the clock is ticking. Once their status expires, they become vulnerable to deportation proceedings, even though they have an approved SIJS petition and are simply waiting for a visa number.
Can USCIS Revoke Existing Deferred Action?
While existing deferred action grants remain valid until their expiration dates, USCIS has explicitly reserved the right to terminate them early. The June 2025 policy states that USCIS “may terminate deferred action and revoke SIJS-based employment authorization before the validity period expires.”
What this means: Even if your deferred action isn’t set to expire for months or years, USCIS could potentially revoke it at any time. While the agency has stated that existing grants will “generally” remain valid through their expiration dates, there are no guarantee.
New Risks for Future SIJS Applicants
The termination of deferred action for SIJS creates significant new risks for young immigrants. Newly approved SIJS recipients face months or years of vulnerability between petition approval and green card eligibility.
During this waiting period, they have no work authorization (unless they qualify through another pathway) and no protection from deportation. They cannot legally work to support themselves or contribute to their household. They live in fear that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could initiate removal proceedings, despite having proven their eligibility for permanent residency.
This gap in protection undermines the entire purpose of SIJS. The program was designed as an immigration relief option for abused or abandoned minors — children who often have no safe family to return to in their home countries.
What Youth and Families Should Do Now
If you’re caring for a young person with SIJS, or if you’re a youth with an approved SIJS petition, here are concrete steps to take now:
- Check your deferred action expiration date. If you currently have deferred action and an EAD, look at your documents and note the exact expiration dates. Mark your calendar for 90 days before expiration — that’s when you need to have a concrete plan in place. Work with an attorney now to prepare for multiple scenarios.
- Explore alternative forms of work authorization. While SIJS-based deferred action is no longer available, other pathways to work authorization may exist depending on your circumstances. An experienced immigration attorney can evaluate whether you might qualify for work permits through pending adjustment of status applications, asylum claims, U visa applications or other forms of relief.
- Consider your timeline carefully. If you or a young person in your care is approaching their 21st birthday and hasn’t yet filed their I-360 SIJS petition, time is critical. SIJS has strict age requirements, and you typically must file before turning 21 (with some state-specific variations).
- Monitor ongoing litigation. Several immigrant rights organizations are challenging this policy change in court. While litigation outcomes are uncertain, staying informed about legal challenges can help you understand what protections might be restored in the future.
- Document everything. Keep copies of all immigration documents, court orders, USCIS notices, work permits and correspondence with government agencies. If your situation becomes more complicated, this documentation will be essential.
How Our Illinois Law Firm Helps With SIJS and Deferred Action
At Gillespie Law Group, LLC, we understand how Illinois handles SIJS cases. With deferred action terminated, our role has become even more critical.
We develop comprehensive strategies tailored to each family’s unique circumstances. If you have SIJS approval and expiring deferred action, we’ll evaluate every avenue for continued protection and work authorization. If you’re starting the SIJS process, we’ll help you understand the timeline and risks, working efficiently to get your petition approved before critical deadlines.
The termination of SIJS-based deferred action doesn’t mean hope is lost. It means you need a lawyer for SIJS who understands the law as it is now and can help you adapt accordingly. Contact Gillespie Law Group, LLC today to schedule a consultation.