HIAS Responds to Trump Administration Limiting Central American Minors Program

SILVER SPRING, Md.—HIAS, the global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees, is saddened by the Trump administration’s decision to end parole processing for individuals in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala who apply to enter the U.S. through the Central American Minors (CAM) program.

In response, HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield issued the following statement:

“Today we received notice that the Trump administration, by ending parole in the CAM program, has revoked conditional offers it had already made to Central American children and their family members. If the administration was intent on closing this safe and lawful route for children and their families fleeing the violence of the Northern Triangle countries, it should have at least respected the U.S. government’s existing offers to allow these individuals into the U.S.

“Instead, the administration pulled the rug out from under children and families who were playing by the rules trying to reunite in safety in the United States. The administration's action sends a message to Central Americans and others that the word of the government of the United States is not binding, and that there is no legal way for them to get to the United States.”

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