Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) signed on to co-sponsor a Democrat-led bill late last month that would make it easier for unaccompanied or abused illegal immigrant minors to obtain legal status.
“Navigating the immigration system and pathway to legal citizenship is often a lengthy, cumbersome process — especially for younger immigrants trying to escape abuse or neglect,” said King.
“The Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act would gently ease some of the barriers to obtaining a green card for vulnerable minors and help keep these children safe and out of harm’s way. We owe it to the young people seeking refuge in our country to provide them with the tools and support to achieve their American dream,” he added.
King announced his co-sponsorship on Thursday, claiming that the bill would help undocumented minors to become “lawful, productive” members of society.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), works by removing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) visas from the employment-based immigrant visa program.
The SIJS program allows immigrants under the age of 21 years to apply for a court order affirming that they have been abandoned or abused by their parents, can’t return to their home country, and are in the custody of the state. The SIJS program allows the minors a path towards permanent legal status, even if they initially entered the U.S. illegally.
Because SIJS visas are tied to the employment-based visa program, they are subject to annual visa limits which, according to King, have left SIJS visa applicants in limbo.
If the bill were put into effect, there would be no limit on the number of minors who could be granted legal status under the program.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was also among the bill’s ten co-sponsors.
In June, Rep. Chellie Pingree was one of 44 co-sponsors to sign on to a House version of the same bill from Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.).
