HB 15 Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Classification Act Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Contact: Jessica Martinez Legal Expert for HB15 | (575) 386-1885 | jmartinez@nmilc.org
This bill was a community-led effort, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to its success. We want to extend our appreciation to the legislators who sponsored the bill, voted for change, and worked with us to ensure its passage. Their support was essential in making this important change possible.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed HB 15, The Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Classification Act (the Act), marking a critical step forward in protecting immigrant youth in New Mexico. Undocumented youth and children living in New Mexico are now eligible to obtain special findings from state court judges and apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) up until the age of 21. SIJS is a unique immigration remedy that allows immigrant children within the state who cannot reunify with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment to pursue lawful permanent residency. This law now aligns New Mexico state law with the SIJS federal statute. This change makes NM the eighteenth state to do this.
HB 15 creates the following changes in law:
Updates New Mexico state law to reflect federal immigration law to expand the court age-out deadline to the age of 21 for “Special Immigrant Juvenile” cases.
Positively impacts the lives of qualifying immigrant youth and children who are abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents that would qualify under federal law, but prior to today, did not have access to this unique form of relief based on their age.
Creates positive generational change by allowing vulnerable immigrant children to obtain SIJS and its protections: access to healthcare, educational opportunities, deferred action (protection from deportation), work permit, the pathway to permanent residency, and eventually citizenship.
Jessica Inez Martínez, Staff Attorney and Legal Expert at New Mexico Immigrant Law Center said,
“NMILC is elated to hear the news that Governor Lujan Grisham signed the Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification Act into law. I am overcome with emotion as this law is already creating meaningful change for immigrant youth in NM. I have been receiving calls from partnering legal organizations informing me that their clients will be able to meet the age out deadline before they turn 21 in a few weeks. Our office is working diligently to help immigrant youth that will now be able to benefit from this change in our law, many of which inspired the passage of this law. This law will create positive generational change for more immigrant youth in our state to have a pathway for permanent status. New Mexico is the 18th state in the nation to expand the age of majority to age 21 for special immigrant juvenile cases.”
Monica Newcomer Miller, Managing Attorney, Children’s Program at New Mexico Immigrant Law Center:
“The culmination of today’s signing of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Act by Governor Lujan Grisham came after concerted efforts by so many participants across the state. We are grateful to our community partners, eligible youth and our own legal expert, Jessica Martinez, for combining tireless efforts to promote the bill, bring awareness to the issue and work for lasting change for our immigrant youth in the state. We send a special thank you to each of the legislators who sponsored the bill, voted for change and worked with our team and legislative champions to get the votes needed to pass HB15. This day could not have come without the efforts of so many supporters and advocates. Thank you! We are thrilled to now be able to provide these expanded services to our clients.”
*Zoom or Facetime interviews available upon request.*
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The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center is a non-profit organization seeking to advance justice and equity by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education.
