Two brothers from South Korea came to the United States with their mother on a visitor visa. Their father remained in South Korea and, over time, completely cut off contact with his sons. He provided no financial support, no communication, and showed no interest in their lives - a clear case of parental abandonment.
The family's visitor visa eventually expired, leaving the brothers in an undocumented status. Their mother worked hard to support them while they attended school and tried to build normal lives. The shadow of their immigration status hung over everything they did.
Living undocumented in America is stressful for any family, but for children it's particularly difficult. The brothers couldn't fully participate in activities that required documentation, and the fear of deportation was ever-present. They had to be careful about what they shared with friends and teachers.
Song Law Firm recognized that the brothers qualified for SIJS based on their father's abandonment. Under U.S. law, a parent who provides no support and maintains no contact has effectively abandoned their children. The legal team filed petitions for both brothers, documenting their father's complete absence from their lives.
Both brothers had their SIJS petitions approved in 2023. While they await their green cards due to visa backlogs, the approval gives them protection from deportation and the ability to work legally. They finally have hope for a secure future.
The brothers continue their education while waiting for their green cards. They have each other for support, and their mother continues to work hard to provide for them. The SIJS approval has lifted a huge weight from the family.
"The brothers say: 'We have each other, and now we have hope. Family isn't just blood - it's the people who are there for you.'"
"Our father abandoned us, but we found strength in each other."
"America gave us the chance our father denied us."