Guardianship of Immigrant Minors

Attorney Ellyn Bullock explained to the congregation recently 2 types of guardianship that could be helpful with immigrant children in our community.

  1. An Illinois short-term guardianship is done out of court and allows a parent to appoint a guardian for a child in case of an emergency such as deportation or other emergency.
  2. An unaccompanied minor is in need of a guardianship and such a guardianship can be entered in Champaign County Court. For this type of permanent guardianship, the guardian provides for the health education and welfare of the minor. With in this guardianship a special finding of SIJS factors can be made. The SI JS (=special immigrant juvenile status) factors are as follows:
  • the child is a minor
  • the child is unmarried
  • the child is an abandoned child
  • reunification is not possible under the Illinois probate act

For more info, feel free to contact:
Penné Beckett, Member, Immigration Justice Task Force – penne1945@yahoo.com
Sally Anderson Member, Immigration Justice Task Force – sallywanderson@gmail.com
Ellen Bullock – ellyn@solbergbullock.com