UPDATES ON CURRENT STATUS OF CAM PROGRAM

The Central American Minors (CAM) Refugee & Parole Program

In January 2025, President Trump issued an order indefinitely pausing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). The CAM Program is part of USRAP, so it was also paused by this order. This means all new applications, interviews, decisions, and travel were paused because of this order. In addition, the government paused some funding to organizations in the United States that provided assistance and services to people who entered through the CAM Program.

IRAP is suing the U.S. government over this pause. Because of IRAP’s lawsuit, CAM refugee cases that were conditionally approved by January 20, 2025 should continue processing including travel to the United States. You can find the latest updates for how this lawsuit is affecting cases here.

CAM Re-Parole

While you may have heard of widespread changes made to parole programs by the Trump administration, the government has not announced any specific changes to re-parole applications for CAM parolees. At this time, the government is still accepting and deciding CAM re-parole applications on a case-by-case basis – but reports indicate that re-parole applications are unlikely to be successful at this time. In addition, the government has tried to end many other parole programs, and they could try to end CAM parole and re-parole at any time. If you are in the United States and denied re-parole, you could be put in removal proceedings unless you have received some other legal way to stay in the United States. 

CAM Hotline

Due to changes in U.S. policies, the CAM Hotline operated by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is indefinitely out of service as of February 12, 2025. If you contacted the CAM Hotline and did not receive a callback before this date, unfortunately, no one will return your call.

The information below was accurate prior to January 2025. It may no longer be relevant while the CAM Program is paused.

Summary

Individuals who come to the United States on CAM parole status have permission to stay for a temporary period of time, generally for three years. In the past, CAM parolees were generally granted three years of parole. This guide provides information on support and options available to CAM parolees who are in the United States.

How long can I stay in the United States on CAM parole status?

CAM parole status lasts for a specific period of time. You can check when the status ends by looking at the stamp that the officer put in your passport at the airport or by getting an electronic copy of Form I-94 here.

As a CAM parolee, you are not a “refugee.” This means your current parole status does not give you a path to permanent status, nor will you automatically get a green card with this status. 

What can I do if I want to stay in the United States for longer?

You should find a lawyer as soon as possible after getting to the United States to ask about your options for applying for a more permanent status. There may be deadlines for applying for certain statuses like asylum.

You can also apply to renew your CAM parole status, even if your parole has already expired. This is called re-parole. See below.

To find immigration legal services in your area, visit USAHello or immi. To avoid immigration scams, check out these helpful tips.

How can I apply for CAM re-parole?

If your CAM parole period has ended or is ending within the next year, you can apply for CAM re-parole. Applying for CAM re-parole means that you are asking the government to issue you a new parole period. The United States government has instructions on how to ask for CAM re-parole here. Typically, the government is granting new parole periods that begin at the expiration date of your last parole period and that end three years into the future.

If you traveled to the United States through the CAM program with additional family members and you all were granted parole, every individual person, even babies, must file their own re-parole application that is complete on its own. You can mail these re-parole applications in the same envelope, but each individual seeking to extend their parole status has to file their own application. 

Because of current government application processing delays, you should try to apply for re-parole approximately one year before your CAM parole status ends.

You can file your CAM re-parole application online, or by mail. The online filing process is more streamlined, and it also involves lower filing fees. However, if you are unable to afford the filing fees altogether and wish to submit a “fee waiver,” you will need to submit a paper application by mail.

I have more questions about accessing benefits in the United States

If you have questions about other immigration pathways, please check our legal information website here.

See USAHello for resources in your region.

Here are community resources for CAM parolees in several regions of the United States. These guides are in English.

• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Northern California
• Southern California
• Texas
• Virginia