Speeches and statements

Statement on U.S. announcement of CAM resumption

Statement by Matthew Reynolds, UNHCR representative to the United States and the Caribbean, on the resumption of the Central American Minors program.

10 March 2021

Ada (28) fled Honduras with her 8-year-old son Brian to Mexico due to gang violence at home.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the United States government’s announcement that it is restarting its Central American Minors (CAM) program. This humanitarian program has a proven track record of protecting the lives of children facing life-threatening danger in parts of the north of Central America by giving them a safe and orderly way to be reunited with their parents legally residing in the United States. The CAM program is an expression of U.S. compassion for, and commitment to protecting, very vulnerable children who have no other safe place to turn and need to be with their parents. It will save young lives. We understand that organizational details of the CAM program resumption are being finalized. UNHCR stands ready to support the U.S. government, other concerned governments and our civil society partners across the Americas region to expand resettlement opportunities as well as other pathways that provide safety to children who need it the most.

For more information, please contact:

In Washington, Chris Boian, [email protected], +1 202 243 7634