Durham mom hopes federal program helps bring son from El Salvador

She recently moved into a new home, and a photo of her son was one of the first things to go on display.

"This is not a life," she said through an interpreter. "I am not happy or at peace if he is not with me."

She is hoping a new federal program – called the Central American Minors Refugee program – will help her bring her son home soon.

It gives some children in Central America a chance to reunite with their families in the United States without exposing them to the dangers of being smuggled across the border.

"I always fear what could happen to him on a journey like that," Ana Perez said.

To qualify, children must be under 21, from El Salvador, Guatemala or Honduras, and their parents must be in the United States legally.

The process involves substantial paperwork, interviews and DNA testing.

In a phone interview, Melvin said he needs to get out of El Salvador because of gang violence and to be with his mom. Now, he is waiting to waiting to find out if the government will grant him refugee status.

"My goals would be to study and then help my mom," the teen said.

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