Four sisters got off a plane from El Salvador recently—Genesis, Adriana, Amy, and Abigail Martínez—and hugged their father in Los Angeles for the first time in six years. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
The sisters arrived through the Central American Minors Program. Established in 2014, the Obama-era program allows certain children with a parent living legally in the U.S. to apply for asylum without making the dangerous journey across Mexico. bit.ly/2P8gEkv 
The way these girls entered the U.S.—on a commercial flight, passing easily through Customs—is far from the reality of the 15,000 migrant children currently held in government custody, including over 5,000 in overcrowded border patrol holding cells. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
The Trump administration cancelled CAM in 2017, but the Biden administration reinstated it earlier this month.
While the program helps some, critics say it will have limited effect at the border, as it doesn’t apply to most children fleeing their homes. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
While the program helps some, critics say it will have limited effect at the border, as it doesn’t apply to most children fleeing their homes. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
When Biden took office in January, his administration began allowing children to enter for the first time since Trump effectively closed the border in March of 2020.
Just last month, over 9,000 unaccompanied children arrived. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
Just last month, over 9,000 unaccompanied children arrived. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
The Biden administration is under fire for what many see as an unprepared, inhumane response. Most children end up in overcrowded border patrol facilities and government-run shelters, where capacity has been stretched thin by COVID and the record arrivals. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
Even for children admitted under the CAM program, many aren’t allowed to stay forever.
Children who don’t qualify as refugees may receive humanitarian parole instead, and must leave when that parole runs out, often after two years. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
Children who don’t qualify as refugees may receive humanitarian parole instead, and must leave when that parole runs out, often after two years. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
That includes the Martínez sisters.
In two years, Genesis, Adriana, Amy, and Abigail will have to return to El Salvador, where they now have no parents waiting for them.
"I worry about what is going to happen," their dad Jesús told VICE News. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
In two years, Genesis, Adriana, Amy, and Abigail will have to return to El Salvador, where they now have no parents waiting for them.
"I worry about what is going to happen," their dad Jesús told VICE News. bit.ly/2P8gEkv
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