HB 1553

Abstract

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the court has jurisdiction to make the findings necessary to enable a minor who has been adjudicated a ward of the court to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for classification as a special immigrant juvenile under federal law. Provides that if a motion requests findings regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and the evidence, which may consist solely of, but is not limited to, a declaration of the minor, supports the findings, the court shall issue an order that includes the following findings: (1) the minor is declared a dependent of the court or the minor is legally committed to, or placed under the custody of, a State agency or department, or an individual or entity appointed by the court; (2) that reunification of the minor with one or both of the minor's parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other similar basis; and (3) that it is not in the best interest of the minor to be returned to the minor's or parent's previous country of nationality or last habitual residence. Makes other changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 750 ILCS 5/603.11 new 750 ILCS 46/613.5 new 750 ILCS 50/17.01 new 750 ILCS 60/214.5 new 755 ILCS 5/11-5.5 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Deletes language providing that the special immigrant minor provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 do not apply to a minor who applies for special immigrant minor status solely for the purpose of qualifying for financial assistance for himself or herself or for his or her parents, guardian, or custodian. Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, the Adoption Act, and the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a court of the State that is competent to petitions under those Acts has jurisdiction to make the findings necessary to enable a child, who is the subject of the action, to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile under federal law. Provides that if a motion requests findings regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status under federal law, and the evidence, which may consist solely of, but is not limited to, a declaration by the child, supports the findings, the court shall issue an order with certain specifications. Makes other changes.