Reopening central minors program
Reopening central minors program. The State Department announced that itself and DHS have Initiated the first phase of reinstituting the Central American Minors (CAM) program to reunite qualified children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with their parent or parents who are lawfully present in the United States. On March 10, 2021, State announced the reopening of the CAM program in 2 phases. During Phase 1, DOS was not accepting new AORs. A qualified child must be unmarried, under the age of 21, and a national of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras. In some cases, an in-country parent of the qualifying child may also qualify for access. We will generally approve parole under CAM for a 3-year period. U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the ultimate determination whether to parole an individual into the United States at a port of entry.
The joint decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) to reopen and enhance the Central American Minors (CAM) Program signals a renewed commitment to offering safe, legal pathways for family reunification and protection. Originally established in 2014, the CAM program provides children in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras the opportunity to apply for refugee status or parole to join a qualifying parent or legal guardian residing in the United States.
A Safe Alternative to the Dangerous Journey
The core mission of the CAM program is to discourage children from embarking on the perilous, smuggler-controlled journey to the U.S. southern border. By allowing parents to file an Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) from within the U.S., the entire application process—including interviews and security checks—is conducted while the child remains safely in their home country. This approach is central to the broader U.S. strategy of managing migration flow humanely and orderly.
Expanded Eligibility and Two Pathways
The program’s relaunch occurred in two phases, initially prioritizing the reopening of cases that were terminated in 2017. Crucially, the current program has significantly expanded the range of U.S.-based parents and legal guardians who can petition for their children. Eligibility now includes those with legal permanent resident status (Green Cards), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), parole, or even those with pending asylum or U/T visa applications.
Qualifying children (unmarried and under 21) are assessed for two distinct outcomes:
- Refugee Status: If the child meets the legal definition of a refugee, they are admitted with resettlement assistance and a direct path to a Green Card.
- Parole: If they are denied refugee status but present an urgent humanitarian need, they may be granted temporary parole for a period of up to three years, allowing them to reunite with family and obtain work authorization.
The CAM program remains a vital lifeline, offering family unity and protection to vulnerable minors who lack a traditional petition-based path to enter the United States.