As expected, the Biden administration announced on Friday an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 200,000 Salvadorans.
The decision by the Department of Homeland Security allows these individuals, many of whom have lived in the United States for more than twenty years, to remain legally in the country and obtain work permits.
TPS, created by Congress in 1990, is a humanitarian measure designed to protect people from deportation to countries facing severe crises, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts.
Currently, the program protects around one million immigrants from 17 countries, including Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Lebanon, the Associated Press noted in its announcement of the TPS extension for Salvadorans.
Salvadorans represent one of the largest groups benefiting from TPS, which was initially granted to them in 2001 after a series of devastating earthquakes struck the Central American country.
This extension aligns with President Joe Biden’s efforts to protect vulnerable immigrant communities. Under his administration, TPS has been significantly expanded, providing assistance to a larger number of people.
This approach contrasts sharply with the policies of former President Donald Trump, who sought to end TPS for many groups, including Salvadorans and Haitians in the U.S. without legal status.
Legal challenges filed during Trump’s term delayed these attempts, but his campaign promises and past actions have raised concerns among TPS holders that he may attempt to fulfill his pledges by deporting millions of immigrants.
For José Palma, a Houston resident and Salvadoran TPS recipient since 1998, this extension is a much-needed lifeline. “It gives me peace of mind, a breath of fresh air. It’s another 18 months that I’m protected,” José Palma told the Associated Press.
The extension allows Palma to continue supporting his U.S.-born children and his wife, a permanent resident, while sending $400 a month to his retired mother in El Salvador.
The economic impact of Salvadoran remittances is considerable, estimated at $7.5 billion a year. These funds are a vital source of support for Salvadoran families and make a substantial contribution to the country’s economy.
Any move to end TPS for Salvadorans could disrupt this flow and strain relations between the United States and El Salvador.
President Nayib Bukele, who has maintained close ties with U.S. leaders, has been a key ally, particularly in efforts to manage migration issues.
Under Bukele’s administration, El Salvador has seen a dramatic drop in violent crime, transitioning from one of the most dangerous countries in the world to a nation with the lowest homicide rate on record, according to the Associated Press.
In 2024, only 114 homicides were reported, a sharp decline from the 6,656 recorded in 2015. However, Bukele’s methods, which include mass incarceration and extensive police powers under a state of exception, have drawn international criticism for potential human rights violations.
While the TPS extension is a relief for Salvadorans, immigration advocates had hoped for broader protections.
Activists urged the administration to extend TPS to other countries facing dire situations, such as Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
Thousands of Haitians who arrived in the U.S. under the humanitarian parole program, for example, remain vulnerable without TPS protection, especially if a more restrictive immigration policy is implemented under the next Donald Trump administration.
The Biden administration’s decision underscores the importance of TPS to the stability of immigrant communities. However, as the political landscape evolves, the future of the program remains uncertain. Human rights advocates continue to call for increased protections to ensure that vulnerable populations are not at risk of deportation and instability.