Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador set to end September 09, 2019

On January 08, 2018, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security announced her decision to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador.

TPS provides temporary lawful status and work authorization to people already in the United States from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster or other strife.

El Salvador was first designated by George W. Bush in March 2001 following a series of earthquakes, and has since been renewed numerous times throughout the Bush and Obama administrations. The last renewal was in 2016 and reasons for the renewal cited drought, poverty, and widespread gang violence as reasons to keep the protection in place.

Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen M.Nielsen, announced that the decision to terminate was made after finding that the original conditions caused by the 2001 earthquakes no longer exist, despite requests by the government of El Salvador to the Trump administration requesting they renew the designation.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, those Salvadorans currently with TPS will be required to re-register for TPS and apply for Employment Authorization Documents until the termination becomes effective on September 09, 2019.

Further information regarding the re-registrations period will be released in a Federal Register notice. Termination will effect nearly 200,000 nationals from El Salvador

For more information on Immigration law, Temporary Protected Status or the services our office provides, please contact Kolko & Associates, P.C.