On Friday, July 8, 2016, Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson announced that the country of El Salvador will be designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an18 month extension. This decision was based on the overall conditions within El Salvador. This status will allow eligible Salvadoran nationals (or those who last resided in El Salvador) residing in the United States to apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The additional 18 months are effective from September 10, 2016, through March 9, 2018.
Current TPS El Salvador beneficiaries who want to extend their TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from July 8, 2016 through September 6, 2016. USCIS encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day re-registration period begins. This designation means that, during the designated period, eligible nationals of El Salvador and people without nationality who last habitually resided in El Salvador will not be removed from the United States and may receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which will allow them to work within the United States.
For further details please review the USCIS News Release, “Temporary Protected Status Extended for El Salvador“.
Background: The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
Source of Information:
USCIS.gov, 7/8/16, News Release:
Temporary Protected Status Extended for El Salvador
USCIS.gov, 7/8/16, Web Page:
Temporary Protected Status