The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) provides free legal help to some refugees and displaced people.
- IRAP helps some people find services and prepare refugee and visa applications.
- IRAP is not part of any government, IOM, or UNHCR.
- IRAP cannot grant refugee status or visas or speed up cases.
- IRAP cannot provide financial help, find or pay for housing, or find jobs.
- All of IRAP’s help is free. No one affiliated with IRAP has the right to ask you for money or any other service.
IRAP decides to help people based on their need and eligibility for immigration status. IRAP does not decide to help people based on any other social or political or religious criteria.
This website provides general information about legal processes available to some refugees. It is not meant as legal advice for individual applications.
This information was revised in August 2023. Requirements may change. Always check for current requirements from the government or agency deciding your request.
If you are in a refugee emergency, we recommend that you contact the UNHCR office in the country where you live .
Summary
This is a sample Declaration / Statement of Need that individuals may submit to support their request for CAM re-parole. The government does not require evidence in a particular format, but does require some evidence of needing re-parole, which can be a written statement by the applicant or by someone on behalf of the applicant. One way to provide this evidence is using a cover letter and a statement about your personal situation. IRAP created a sample statement to assist you. Spanish translation is here as a guide—but your submitted letter must be in English.
This is an example statement and provides general guidance on how to complete the statement. It is not meant as legal advice for individual applications. It is written as though the declaration is one’s own. If you are preparing one for your child or anyone else who cannot provide a declaration of their own, change paragraph 3 to state that you are writing the declaration on behalf of someone else and make all changes after that paragraph to reflect you are writing the declaration on someone else’s behalf.
This information was revised in December 2022. Requirements may change. Always check for current requirements from the government or agency deciding your request.
[Make sure to write in large text "CAM RE-PAROLE" on top of the statement.]
CAM RE-PAROLE
Declaration of NAME
In Support of His/Her/Their Application(s) for Re-Parole Under the
Central American Minors (CAM) Program
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My name is NAME. I was born in COUNTRY OF BIRTH on DATE OF BIRTH and am a citizen of COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP.
- I have prepared this declaration to explain why I am asking for re-parole and why I need to stay in the United States with my family members.
- My [mother/father] applied for me to enter the United States through the CAM program and I was approved for CAM parole.
- I entered the United States on CAM parole on DATE YOU ENTERED THE UNITED STATES.
- I was granted parole until DATE YOUR PAROLE EXPIRES.
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I left [El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras] because I was unsafe. I applied to come to the United States through the CAM program because I was afraid of being harmed. I explained my fear to the United States government through my CAM application and interview.
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I understand that conditions in [El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras] continue to be dangerous, and I am afraid to return there. [Why are you afraid to return to your country? Detail any specific reasons you are afraid. For example, “I know a family member or acquaintance who has been recently targeted or harmed by armed groups.”]
- I currently live in CITY, STATE.
- [Do you live with any family members? If so, describe who you live with and their relationship with you. If you had not seen one of these family members in a long time before being paroled into the United States, say that. For example, “I live with my mother, father, and sister. Before entering the United States through CAM, I had not seen my mother in over 10 years.” Do not provide the full name of anyone you are describing.]
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[Do you have other family members living in the United States that you now are able to see? If so, describe who those family members are and how often you see them. Explain if you live near them and/or visit them frequently and what you do when you are together. If you have been able to get together for important occasions and holidays (for example, birthdays, first communions, baby showers, funerals, Christmas, Easter, etc.), say that. If you helped to care for a family member who was suffering from Covid, say so.]
- [Are you now working in the United States? If so, explain the job, where it is, and whether it is full or part time. If you are a “front-line worker,” like at a grocery store or hospital or nursing home, state that. However, if you are not working with authorization, then it is not helpful to draw attention to the unauthorized work. Instead, you can say something generic like, “I am able to support myself in the United States with my family’s support.”]
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[Are you now going to school, taking classes, or doing a training program while in the United States? If in school, explain where you go to school and what grade/year you are in. If you are in college, explain what you are studying, when you expect to graduate, and with what degree. If you are taking classes, for example, English classes, and/or taking a training program, explain what you are studying.
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[Are you a member of a community of worship or attend church? If so, describe the community. If you attend church often, say so.]
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[Do you help members of your community in some way? If so, explain what you do. For example, volunteer at your church or soup kitchen, help out at your children’s school.]
- The only way I am aware of that I can legally remain in the United States with my family and safe from harm at this time is to apply for CAM re-parole. I am hoping to find an attorney for a legal relief screening so I can pursue any more permanent status for which I am eligible.
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[Has your CAM parole period expired? If so, describe why you were not able to apply for CAM re-parole earlier. For example, “The CAM program was terminated when my CAM parole expired and I was unable to apply at the time.” Or “I did not know applying for CAM re-parole was possible until recently.” Or “I had trouble finding someone to assist me in applying for CAM re-parole.”]
- [What are all the reasons why you need to stay in the United States? For example, explain how you want to stay together with your family, continue to work/go to school, and/or that you are afraid to return to your home country.]
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on MONTH XX, YEAR.
[Sign here]
_______________________________
NAME