State-Specific Resources

Arizona Department of Child Safety: Policy and Procedure Manual – Chapter 2: Section 4.5, Investigations Involving Immigrant Children

Practical Guidance for the Juvenile Dependency Process Related to Parents Detained by ICE

(by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2013)

State of Arizona Department of Child Safety Child and Family Services Plan – Fiscal Years 2015-2019

PROCEDURE XII-A1: DCFS Response to Children of Actual or Suspected Undocumented Immigrants 

This procedure is located on page 356 of the Policy & Procedure Manual for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children & Family Services. This procedure discusses the supportive services available to undocumented immigrant families and also discusses cases when Special Immigrant Juvenile Status may be pursued for undocumented foster children.

Report to Judicial Council

Judicial Council of California (October 2014)

This report was created in response to the rising number of unaccompanied immigrant children arriving in California and the resulting increase in cases where Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is pursued as an immigration relief option. The state of California recently passed Senate Bill 873, which clarifies the role of superior courts in making SIJS findings, and this report both provides background on Senate Bill 873 and outlines the efforts currently being taken to assist the courts with the SIJS process.

All County Letter Regarding Implementation of SB 1064 – The Reuniting Immigrant Families Act

This All County Letter, issued by the California Department of Social Services, provides county child welfare and probation departments with information and instructions regarding SB 1064, which is also commonly referred to as “The Reuniting Immigrant Families Act.” The purpose of this new state law is to eliminate or reduce family reunification barriers for immigrant families by creating uniformity across state and county policies and practices. Broadly speaking, SB 1064 is designed to help ensure that undocumented immigrant parents and relatives are treated as equitably as possible in child custody and dependency cases in California.

Fact sheets on California SB 1064

California SB 873

California SB 873 appropriates $3 million to qualified non-profit organizations throughout California to provide legal services to unaccompanied minors. The legislation also removes all ambiguity regarding the state court’s jurisdiction to make findings necessary for the federal government to grant Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) to unaccompanied children, and further reinforces the court’s authority to provide interpretation services for this population.

Alameda County

Fresno County

Los Angeles County

Madera County

Monterey County

Orange County

Placer County

Riverside County

Sacramento County

San Diego County

San Francisco County

Santa Clara County

Citizenship Assessment Instrument

(2012)

Intended to be used with families to assess for potential immigration issues or citizenship options. Caseworkers are directed to contact an immigration attorney if any responses lend themselves to immigration concerns.

Child Welfare & Immigration Toolkit (youth ages 13-21)

Provides an overview of potential immigration issues at points throughout a child welfare case.

Child Welfare & Immigration Toolkit (youth 12 & under)

Provides an overview of potential immigration issues at points throughout a child welfare case.

Responsibilities of Child Welfare Immigration Consultant

The consultant is utilized by counties in an informational role and as a referral source for immigration cases.

Working with Clients Who Are Immigrants: A Guide for Connecticut Department of Children and Families’ Social Workers (2008)

• Social Services Manual – Consular Notification (1011.19) & Service Needs of the Immigrant Child (1011.21)

• Descriptions and Examples of Cards, Forms, and Letters Verifying Immigrant Status

• Budget for an AU with Sponsored Aliens

• Child Care Program Requirement

• Refugee Resettlement Program Overview

• Verification Checklist for Lawful Presence in US

• MOU with Consulate General of Mexico (2011)

• MOU with Consulate General of Mexico – Spanish version

• Policy Guide – Mexican Consulate Notification

• Policy Guide – Licensing, Payment, & Placement of Children with Undocumented Relatives

• Policy Guide – Immigration Legalization Services for Foreign Born DCFS Wards

• Burgos Consent Decree Summary Regarding Language Access

• Burgos Consent Decree

• Hispanic Client Language Determination Form

• Guide for Parents Who Are Mexican Nationals

• Bulletin – Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (2010)

• New Jersey Department of Children and Families Policy Manual – Placement of Children with Kinship Caretakers who are Undocumented Immigrants (2014)

• New Jersey Department of Children and Families Policy Manual – Services to Immigrant Children and Families Generally (2020)

• New Jersey Department of Children and Families Policy Manual (2020)

• The New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department Immigration Unit: A Model for Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice Systems Serving Immigrant Children and Their Families

• MOU with Consulate General of Mexico (2009)

• Bulletin on Best Practices in Working with Immigrant Families

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status & Legal Permanent Residency Application Guide (2009)

• New York City Council Press Release on $1.9 Million Unaccompanied Minor Initiative (September 23, 2014)

• NYC Press Release on Direct Service Provision to Unaccompanied Minors at NYC Federal Immigration Court (September 16, 2014)

• NYC Administration for Children’s Services 2013 Report on Local Law 6 of 2010

• NYC Administration for Children’s Services 2012 Report on Local Law 6 of 2010

• NY Office of Children & Family Services Administrative Directive on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• Immigration and Language Guidelines for Child Welfare Staff

• NYC Administration for Children’s Services Policy and Procedure on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Immigration Services (June 2013)

• NYC Administration for Children’s Services Memo on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• NYC Administration for Children’s Services Language Access Policy and Implementation Plan (2009)

• New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, A Blueprint for Immigrant Integration: Family and Child Welfare (December 2013)

• New York City Local Law 6 of 2010

• New York City Executive Order 41 of 2008 (addresses immigrant access to city services)

• New York City Office of the Mayor Executive Order 120 of 2008, “Citywide Policy on Language Access to Ensure the Effective Delivery of City Services”

• New York City Local Law 73 of 2003 (addresses the provision of language assistance services)

• Oregon Dept of Human Services – Intercountry Adoption Pursuant to the Hague Convention and Intercountry Adoption Act

• Immigrant Adoption and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• Texas Policies on International and Immigration Issues

• Questions to Ask About Foreign Born Foster Children to Determine Documentation Status

• Language Access Policy

• Notification to Foreign Consulate

• Motion to Determine Eligibility for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• Order Regarding Eligibility for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• Glossary of Citizenship and Immigration Terms