Recently, the Obama Administration introduced a new program that will help Central Americans reunite with family members in the U.S, the Washington Post reports.

The little-known law will allow Central Americans that are living in the U.S. legally to bring family members into the country.

The new policy applies to children from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador who have faced violence and other dangers. Admission into the U.S. is also possible for spouses and grandchildren in some cases.

The program has been in effect since December when the State Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services introduced it. Vice President Joe Biden first introduced the law in November at a summit with Central American leaders. However, the program has not been widely promoted, except for on some agency websites.

Officials say that the program is necessary to keep children safe. With the program, children will no longer have to risk their lives to cross the border or become exploited due to smuggling networks.

The new policy only applies to Central Americans because of a 2008 anti-trafficking law. That law emphasizes protection for minors from that region.

Under the program, children who are at risk can qualify for refugee status. This gives them a path to a green card, assistance in settling in the U.S. and eventual citizenship. Children who do not meet all of the requirements can instead become eligible for parole. This gives them the right to stay in the U.S., but they will not get any of the other benefits.

The new refugee plan has not been given much attention compared to President Obama's other recent executive actions. Some immigration advocates were unaware of the plan unti receiving federal e-mails about it in early February.

Immigrant parents can also take advantage of the refugee program if they have legal status in the U.S. They can also apply for the program if the government grants them deferred action under Obama's executive immigration action taken in November.

Children must go through interviews in their native countries to make sure they qualify as refugees. DNA testing will also be done to prove relation to parents.

The State Department said 329 people have applied for reunification under the plan as of Thursday. No applications have been approved yet.