Louisiana Immigration Law Firm

Ashley Dees LLC is now Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Please visit www.bal.com for more information.

Juvenile Cases

Louisiana Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Lawyer

Get Trusted Counsel From Our Immigration Lawyer

Each year, children from foreign countries arrive in the United States without the proper legal documentation, but sending them back to their home country would be inhumane.

Because of this commonly occurring issue, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a program known as Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status that is intended to help foreign-born children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. This allows these children to obtain legal status within the country and they can even achieve permanent residency at a later date.

In order to qualify for SIJ, an applicant must:

  • Be under the age of 21 at the time of filing
  • Currently be unmarried
  • Be present in the United States

If you or someone you love has special immigrant juvenile status, contact Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP for experienced help. Call(337) 214-0670 or reach us online. Se habla Español.


Full Knowledge of the SIJ Program

After a court of law has found evidence of neglect, abuse, or abandonment by one or both of the child's parents, and that returning to their native country would not be in their best interests, it is then possible for a child to petition for a SIJ visa. Our Louisiana immigration attorney at Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP is well versed with respect to the SIJ program, and able to work as an effective advocate to petition on behalf of foreign-born children who are vulnerable and need the assistance of our government.

The system may seem complex and confusing, especially to outsiders with no knowledge, or a limited knowledge, of English. Fortunately, we are able to put our extensive experience and knowledge to work for these children. We fight tirelessly to help them be able to live, work, and enjoy a better life within the United States. Se Habla Español!

Ready to begin? Call us at (337) 214-0670.


Contact Us Today!

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Helping Our Clients Enter
The Next Chapter of Their Lives

  • I Don't Know Where We Would Be Without Your Guidance

    “"Claire got her 10 year card in the mail Wednesday 11/27. Needless to say she is very excited and happy. Me too! We could not have accomplished this without you. Claire and I cannot say thank you enough. Please thank everyone in your office, especially Karen, for us. I don't know where we would be without your professional guidance. It has been a pleasure working with you and your staff. If there is anything we still need to do please let us know. Also, know this. If anyone ever says they are in need of immigration assistance within earshot of me, I will immediately and enthusiastically give them your name." *Case involved a Naturalization process for his wife. ”

  • This entire office is an amazing team and we recommend them to all of our friends

    “We have been using this office since 2014. They have helped us from adjusting my husbands status from his overstayed visa, to getting his travel permit, green card, and now his citizenship! They were able to pretty much do everything for us to where we only needed to submit documents and stay in contact. They made the entire process smooth and quick for us. They helped put our minds at ease when we were worried what could happen while we wait. Very good with quick response times! Very friendly staff! Both Ashley & Jeb were amazing to us and worked closely with us throughout the process! Maria & Josue were our main contacts throughout this as well and were just friendly and always answered my questions. Karen & Ann were amazing with working out payment arrangements for us during a difficult time of a new baby. This entire office is an amazing team and we recommend them to all of our friends who will need to go through these things as well! Thanks for all your help!”

    C. T.

  • Thank you all for aiding us in finally having a stress-free life.

    “We we're very nervous about driving 3 hours just to get an attorney but upon arrival we immediately felt comfortable. The estimated process time given to us from this office was 6-9 months and we finished everything before the 9 months which was amazing. Thanks to Ashley, Josue, Maria and Karen we succeeded in getting my husband's Green Card. Our family can finally live in peace knowing we will not he separated. We have felt like these people became part of our family. Nothing about this felt like an attorney on client relationship, everything was personal and very professional and we could not have asked for a better experience. We will definitely be hiring Ashley again for the removal of conditions for my husband and hopefully my husband decides to do his citizenship so we can again, hire Ashley. Thank you all for aiding us in finally having a stress-free life. God Bless you all! Muchas Gracias por todo. --*The Terrazas family. *Case involved an I-130 + I-485 Adjustment of Status. ”

  • Ashley Forert Dees = a team of professionals.

    “Ashley Forert Dees = a team of professionals. I strongly recommend them for the patience, goodness and precision with which they helped me through this process of the green card . I could not have made a better choice! Thank you all, dearly, Poliana Houston.”

    Poliana Houston

  • You Continue To Do a Remarkable Job

    “"Ashley that is definitely great news. You continue to do a remarkable job. Thanks." *Case involved representation before DOL and USCIS for an I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. ”

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