KIND Best Practice Brief: The Central American Minors Program

Since 2012, rising violence, poverty, and climate impacts have driven more children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to flee alone in search of safety or to reunite with family in the United States. The Central American Minors (CAM) Program, launched in 2014, offers a life-saving legal pathway for these children. Through in-country processing, parents or legal guardians in the U.S. can apply for their children to be considered for refugee status or humanitarian parole—allowing reunification without dangerous migration routes. CAM’s broad eligibility criteria include siblings and customary caregivers, promoting healthy reunification outcomes. By offering multiple protection pathways, legal assistance, and safer processing, CAM reduces risks of trafficking and exploitation while strengthening family unity. This model demonstrates how targeted, rights-based programs can protect vulnerable children and support cross-border family reunification.