Unaccompanied Minors Immigration Lawyer in Tustin, CA.
County without a parent or legal guardian, the Law Office of Roberto Alvarez, APC can help. Our bilingual team represents unaccompanied minors in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, and removal cases, and explains every option in plain English and Spanish. Attorney Roberto Alvarez has practiced immigration and family law in Orange County for over 12 years. Call us to review the child’s situation and the next step.
Looking for an Unaccompanied Minors Immigration Lawyer Near Me in Tustin?
Common Scenarios Requiring Waivers.
Under U.S. immigration law, an unaccompanied child (sometimes called a UAC or unaccompanied minor) is a person under 18 who has no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the country available to provide care and custody. Many of these children are placed in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and later released to a sponsor while their immigration case moves forward. Having a lawyer early matters, because minors in immigration court are not given a government-appointed attorney and must respond to the same system as adults.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
SIJS can be an option for a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents. It requires a predicate order from a California state court before the immigration petition is filed, so timing and coordination matter. We handle both the state court step and the immigration filing.
Unaccompanied Minors near me
Safeguard
Removal Defense in Immigration Court
Children placed in removal proceedings must appear before an immigration judge, often at the Santa Ana or Los Angeles court. We appear with them, identify every available form of relief, and keep the family informed at each stage. Read more about our deportation defense service here.
Unaccompanied Minors: Frequenly Asked Questions.
Why Local Representation Matters for Minors in Orange County
Unaccompanied minors released to sponsors in Orange County usually have their cases heard at the immigration courts serving Santa Ana and Los Angeles, and deadlines move quickly once a case is calendared. A local, bilingual attorney can meet the family in person, coordinate with ORR and the state court on SIJS cases, and make sure the child does not miss a hearing. From our Tustin office on Irvine Blvd, the Law Office of Roberto Alvarez, APC serves families across Tustin, Santa Ana, and the surrounding Orange County communities.
Common Paths to Legal Status for Unaccompanied Minors
| Option | Who it may fit | Key requirement | Where it is decided |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIJS | Children abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent | California state court predicate order first | State court, then USCIS |
| Asylum | Children who fear persecution in their home country | Credible fear and country-condition evidence | USCIS or immigration court |
| U Visa | Child victims of qualifying crimes who assist authorities | Law enforcement certification | USCIS |
| T Visa | Child victims of human trafficking | Evidence of trafficking | USCIS |
Why should you choose us?
We guide families through the immigration process in both English and Spanish, with clear communication at every step.
Experience With Minor and Family Cases
With over 12 years handling family-based immigration in Orange County, we work on a range of cases involving children.
Transparency and Honest Communication
We keep families informed about the status of the case and what to expect next.
Serving Unaccompanied Minors Across Tustin and Orange County
Law Office of Roberto Alvarez, APC is based at 18031 Irvine Blvd Suite 110, Tustin, CA 92780 and represents minors and their sponsors throughout central Orange County.
AREAS SERVED :
- Tustin
- Santa Ana
- Irvine
- Orange
- Garden Grove
- Costa Mesa
We facilitate your journey through family-based immigration.
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