Good afternoon Mr Chairman and SubCommittee members my name is Michele Islas, and I work at Restoration Immigration Legal Aid, a non-profit organization in Arlington Virginia that provides pro bono immigration legal services. Our organization represents hundreds of Special Immigrant Juveniles throughout Virginia. I am here today to give a voice to young Virginians who are on the margin and afraid. We hope that today you will support HB 667 which will allow youth up to the age of 21 to remain in Virginia and contribute to the state, while pursuing legal immigration pathways. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status allows for children who have already suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment the opportunity for stability in the United States. I often interview young people who would be eligible for this status if it wasn’t for their birthdate and their address in Virginia. These families are forced to move to nearby states like Maryland and DC, who already have these provisions in place in order to be allowed the opportunity for stability, and security. This bill aligns with current Virginia law which states a child is dependent upon a parent or legal guardian until age 24 for in-state and reduced rate tuition eligibility for college. This bill would also allow access to health insurance for these young people, allowing 3rd party guardians to add them as dependents on their existing insurance policy. HB 667 will give equitable access to higher education and health care for immigrant youth living in Virginia to ensure these individuals can be productive and healthy. I have met youth who have just turned 18 and who have suffered years of abuse, neglect or abandonment by their parents, and to these young people I have to say I’m sorry we cannot pursue your case in Virginia, although you will continue eligible until age 21 for this status, you can’t pursue it here. I strongly encourage you to support this bill so that I no longer have to turn these young people away and so that Virginia truly will be a state that supports our most vulnerable, well-deserving, immigrant neighbors

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights submits written testimony in support of House Bill 667, Aligning state and federal law to protect Virginia’s vulnerable immigrant youth. HB 667 would allow Virginia juvenile courts to hear custody petitions from immigrant youth aged 18 to 21 years old who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, which in turn allows them to seek Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). SIJS is a pathway to work authorization, residency (a green card) and protection from deportation, offering long-term stability for these vulnerable youth.

The NAACP VA State Conference supports this bill HB 6