The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has uncovered significant abuse of the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program, which was originally designed to protect at-risk minors. According to a report from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), thousands of illegal immigrants, including sex criminals, murderers, and gang members, have taken advantage of this program to enter the United States.

Program Abuse and Criminal Activity

The SIJ program offers legal permanent resident status and eventual naturalization to children of illegal immigrants who have been victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. However, USCIS’ Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate has found that from fiscal years 2013 through 2025, the program has been exploited by individuals with criminal backgrounds. At least 120 entrants had arrest records for murder, 200 were convicted of sex offenses, and over 500 were known or suspected members of the notorious Salvadoran gang MS-13.

High-profile cases include a New York MS-13 leader involved in multiple murders and a Massachusetts gang member who participated in a deadly drive-by shooting. Despite their criminal activities, these individuals were able to gain SIJ status, highlighting significant flaws in the program’s vetting process.

Calls for Reform

Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, emphasized the lack of effective safeguards in the SIJ program. She noted that state family court judges, who determine eligibility, often approve petitions without thorough investigations into the applicants’ circumstances. Vaughan suggested that Congress should tighten eligibility criteria and allow USCIS access to juvenile criminal records to prevent further abuse.

James Percival, Deputy Counsel for DHS, echoed these concerns, stating that the failure of state courts to properly vet SIJ applicants has allowed criminals to gain legal status, undermining the program’s original intent to protect genuinely vulnerable children.

The report underscores the need for legislative action to address these vulnerabilities and ensure that the SIJ program serves its intended purpose without being exploited by those seeking to bypass legal immigration processes.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.