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

This page provides information for CAM applicants whose applications were closed when the Trump Administration ended the program and who want to re-open their case after President Biden restarted the program.

What do I need to do to have my case re-opened? 

In March 2021, resettlement agencies began contacting CAM parents in the United States whose applications were closed when the CAM program ended under President Trump.   

Parents who want to re-open their cases must respond to the resettlement agencies to say that they want the cases re-opened. 

Once the parents have said that they want their cases re-opened, IOM will contact your children and family members in the United States. IOM is a contractor of the U.S. Department of State. Your family members must also say that they want their cases re-opened.

My family situation has changed. Are we still eligible for CAM?

To be eligible for the CAM program:

• The parent must continue to have one of several lawful statuses in the United States
• The qualifying children must live in a place where CAM processing is available such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Processing may be available in other locations.

What happens after my CAM application is re-opened?

If your case is re-opened, IOM will provide instructions on the next steps. Cases vary. Sometimes, the first step will be a re-interview. Sometimes, the first step will be seeking payment from the parent for re-doing the medical exam. Sometimes, the first step will be USCIS seeking additional information, for example evidence of your ongoing relationship with a step-parent or about a new baby that has been born and should be added to the case.