18 Aug OCIYU Responds to Department of Homeland Security’s Termination of program for Central American Minor’s Fleeing Violence

For Immediate Release
August 18, 2017

Contact: Jose Servin, OCIYU, 714.728.2520, jservin@www.ociyu.org

Santa Ana, CA – Following the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s termination of parole under the Central American Minors (CAM) Program, Orange County Immigrant Youth United issued the following statement:

“The Department of Homeland Security, under the encouragement of a Trump Regime bent on shamelessly targeting vulnerable communities and encouraging violent actions, has terminated parole under the Central American Minors (CAM) program, an action that will undoubtedly place 2,700 children who are awaiting approval for the program in immediate danger.

Since Trump took office in January and ordered a review of the program, these children have had their applications for parole on hold. Now, stripped of their opportunity to escape violence, many will be forced to remain away from their parents and in places plagued by U.S sponsored violence, or equally dangerous, make their way to the U.S by other channels.

As far-right hardliners like Jeff Sessions continue to vilify Central American immigrants, OCIYU condemns such an action as irresponsible and xenophobic. By denying children in seek of refuge help, not only is the Department of Homeland ignoring the United States civic duty under international conventions, but it is also propagating the same type of violence oriented against immigrants and people of color that the president fails to denounce.”