The Central American Minors (CAM) program, a critical initiative by the U.S. government, was first established in 2014. It has undergone several phases, terminations, and reopenings, reflecting the evolving policies and needs concerning minors from Central America. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the CAM program, its history, eligibility criteria, application process, and recent enhancements in 2023.
History and Evolution of the CAM Program
The CAM program experienced a significant change in its early years. On August 16, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the termination of the parole component of the CAM program via a Federal Register notice. This decision was part of a broader review of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for fiscal year 2018. Subsequently, on November 9, 2017, the Department of State (DOS) ceased accepting new Form DS-7699 submissions, which are Affidavit of Relationship for Minors Who Are Nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. By January 31, 2018, USCIS had stopped conducting interviews for new CAM cases, though processing continued for cases already interviewed before this date.
However, the program was later revived. On March 10, 2021, the DOS announced the reopening of the CAM program, implemented in two phases. Phase 1, initiated in March 2021, concentrated on reactivating and processing eligible AORs that were closed when the program was initially terminated in 2018. During this phase, no new AORs were being accepted. Resettlement agencies in the U.S. contacted parents who had previously submitted an AOR to re-verify their eligibility and confirm their interest in reopening their case.
Phase 2 of the reopening was detailed in a joint announcement by DOS and DHS on June 15, 2021. This phase broadened eligibility for petitioning to include legal guardians, in addition to parents, residing in the United States under various qualifying categories. These categories include:
- Lawful permanent residence
- Temporary Protected Status
- Parole
- Deferred action
- Deferred enforced departure
- Withholding of removal
Furthermore, this expansion extended eligibility to U.S.-based parents or legal guardians with pending asylum applications or pending U visa petitions filed before May 15, 2021.
The program was further enhanced on April 11, 2023, when DHS and DOS published a Federal Register notice outlining several improvements to the CAM program. These enhancements include:
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Additional scrutiny for non-parental filers: For cases where the petitioner is not the biological or adoptive parent or legal guardian (e.g., step-parent), USCIS will gather more information to ensure any other parent or legal guardian in the U.S. is aware and intends to provide care and custody if the child is paroled. This information is shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to facilitate family reunification.
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Re-processing of previously interviewed cases: Individuals who had requested CAM access before February 2018, were interviewed, but did not receive a parole determination, are now eligible to resume CAM parole processing.
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Financial support documentation simplification: The Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, is no longer mandatory. Financial supporters can now provide a sworn statement or other evidence of financial support.
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Expanded eligibility for pending applications: Eligibility now includes U.S.-based parents or legal guardians with pending asylum applications, pending U nonimmigrant status (U-visa) petitions, or pending T nonimmigrant status (T-visa) applications filed on or before April 11, 2023.
For those interested in applying for family members through the CAM program, contacting a domestic Resettlement Agency is the recommended first step.
Eligibility Criteria for the CAM Program
The CAM program has specific eligibility requirements for both the qualifying parent or legal guardian in the U.S. and the qualifying child.
Qualifying Parent or Legal Guardian
The U.S.-based qualifying parent or legal guardian must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Reside in the United States in one of the following categories at the time of filing the Affidavit of Relationship (AOR):
- Lawful permanent resident
- Temporary Protected Status
- Parole (for a minimum of 1 year)
- Deferred action (for a minimum of 1 year)
- Deferred enforced departure (DED)
- Withholding of Removal
- With a pending asylum application filed on or before April 11, 2023
- With a pending U visa petition filed on or before April 11, 2023
- With a pending T visa application filed on or before April 11, 2023
Crucially, the qualifying parent or legal guardian must maintain one of these statuses or have received asylum or visa approval for the qualifying child and family members to be approved for parole. For parolees and individuals with deferred action, a minimum authorization of 1 year is required.
Qualifying Child
The qualifying child must meet the following criteria at the time the AOR is filed:
- Be the child (genetic, step, or legally adopted) of the qualifying parent.
- Be unmarried.
- Be under the age of 21.
- Be physically located in El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras.
- Be a national of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras.
It’s important to note that if an AOR was submitted before November 9, 2017, and the qualifying child has since turned 21, they remain eligible under the current adjudication guidelines.
Eligible Family Members
In addition to the qualifying child, certain family members may also be eligible to access the program:
- Unmarried children of the qualifying child: Under 21 and located in-country can be included as derivatives.
- In-country parent of the qualifying child: May be included if they are part of the same household and economic unit as the qualifying child and legally married to the U.S.-based qualifying parent at the time of AOR filing and admission/parole. If not legally married, the in-country parent can be included if they are the biological parent and part of the same household and economic unit. These in-country parents have their own case and can include their unmarried children under 21 (who are not children of the U.S.-based parent).
- Children of the U.S.-based qualifying parent (over 21 or married): These children have their own case and can include their spouse and unmarried children under 21 as derivatives.
- Siblings of the qualifying child: Can be included if a legal guardian is filing the AOR.
- Primary Caregiver: May be included if related to the U.S.-based parent (biologically or through marriage) or to the qualifying child (biological, step, or adoptive relationship), is the primary caregiver, and part of the same household and economic unit. Legal guardians can include a primary caregiver only if related to the qualifying child.
Application Process for the CAM Program
To initiate the application process, a qualifying parent or legal guardian in the United States must file an Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) with the assistance of a designated resettlement agency. There are no application fees for this program, and no one is authorized to charge fees for completing the form.
Once access to the program is granted, USCIS officers conduct interviews with the qualifying child and eligible family members to assess refugee status eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must establish an independent refugee claim to be granted refugee status. DNA testing is required to confirm biological parent-child relationships. Those approved for refugee status will undergo a medical examination, cultural orientation, and receive travel assistance to their U.S. destination.
If refugee status is not granted, USCIS will consider parole into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Additional information or documentation, including proof of financial support, may be required for parole consideration.
Conditionally eligible applicants for parole must undergo and pay for a medical examination and arrange and pay for travel to the United States through an approved USCIS process. Parole, if granted, does not confer immigration status but allows temporary lawful presence in the U.S. and eligibility to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). CAM parole is typically authorized for 3 years.
Review Process and Re-Parole
There is no appeal for refugee status denial. However, USCIS may review a case upon timely receipt of a Request for Review (RFR) within 90 days of the denial notice. The RFR process is independent of parole consideration, and entering the U.S. on parole will result in the RFR being considered abandoned.
Individuals previously paroled under CAM who have not obtained another immigration status must apply for re-parole to remain lawfully in the U.S. beyond their initial parole period. Re-parole requests should be submitted at least 90 days before the parole expiration date.
Termination of Parole
Parole under CAM remains valid until the parole period expires, the individual leaves the U.S., or parole is terminated by DHS under specific regulations. Parole may be revoked if it is deemed no longer necessary or if the parolee fails to comply with parole conditions.
This overview provides essential information about the Central American Minors (CAM) program, designed to offer a pathway for vulnerable minors from Central America to find safety and reunification with family in the United States. For the most current and detailed information, always refer to official USCIS and DOS resources and consult with a designated resettlement agency.
