The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said there would be new policies in place to protect immigrant children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

According to a March 7 release by USCIS, policies include updating regulations clarifying Special Immigrant Juvenile eligibility criteria like updating the age-out provision to protect those petitioning who turn 21 while it is pending. USCIS is also updating regulations for requirements intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the SIJ program so that these victims are classified with SIJ and can apply for a lawful permanent residence status.

“Today, we are taking action to help immigrant children in the U.S. who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and offer them protection to help rebuild their lives,” USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou said in the release. “These policies will provide humanitarian protection to vulnerable young people for whom a juvenile court has determined that it is in their best interest to remain in the U.S.”

When a petitioner has evidence of court-ordered relief from parent abuse, neglect, abandonment and other similar actions, USCIS can grant SIJ classification, the release states. Petitioners cannot be required to contact the abuser, as well. The petitioner may have an attorney, a trusted adult or another accredited representative at an interview, but they are the only ones allowed to make statements in the interview.

The USCIS is also updating its policy manual to consider deferred action and employment authorization for non-citizens that are SIJs eligible to adjust their status to LPR because a visa isn’t available.

“Deferred action and employment authorization will provide invaluable assistance to these vulnerable noncitizens who have limited financial and other support systems in the U.S. while they await an available visa number,” the release stated.

The policy manual update is effective May 6.