Intersection of Family Court and Immigration Status Survey

Introduction

The Fund for Modern Courts is preparing a report on the intersection of immigration status and the New York Family Courts. We are focusing on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions and U visa applications. Our goal is to identify relevant issues in reaching successful outcomes in family court and to make recommendations to address these issues. We welcome all thoughts on these very important issues and deeply appreciate your contribution.

Please feel free to email Denise Kronstadt with any questions or comments.

Denise Kronstadt, Esq.,
Deputy Executive Director and Director of Advocacy
The Fund for Modern Courts
justice@moderncourts.org

Amelia T.R. Starr, Esq.,
Board Member
The Fund for Modern Courts

Please fill in the following information:(Required.)

First Name

Last Name

Title/Organization

Address

Website

State:

Email address

Phone Number:

Please describe your organization.

Are you a practicing attorney? If so, what is your main area of practice? If you are not an attorney, what is your profession, how does your work support immigrants and/or litigants in Family Court?

In which county or counties in New York state do you primarily practice or work with immigrants and/or litigants in Family Court?

Have you represented clients filing a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) petition?

What are the main legal and factual issues that you are seeing in SIJS petition proceedings?

Have you seen an increase in the number of SIJS petitions over the past three years?

Have you represented clients seeking certification of a U visa application from a Family Court judge?

What procedural means did you use to get the U visa certification request before a Family Court judge (e.g. the “Z docket”)?

What are the main legal and factual issues that you are seeing in connection with U visa certifications?

Please share any relevant experiences in representing clients filing SIJS petitions or U visa certifications.

If you are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, please let us know, as your input would be very helpful.