MIAMI – The Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that approximately 600,000 Venezuelans and over 230,000 Salvadorans currently residing in the United States can legally stay for an additional 18 months. This declaration comes just a week before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, who has signaled intentions to implement stringent immigration policies.
Under the Biden administration, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has received robust support, leading to its expansion to cover around a million individuals. However, the program faces an uncertain future with Trump, who previously attempted to limit its usage during his first term. While federal regulations allow for early termination of these extensions, this action has never occurred to date.
In addition to Venezuelans and Salvadorans, TPS has also been extended for over 103,000 Ukrainians and 1,900 Sudanese residing in the U.S. Currently, José Palma, a 48-year-old Salvadoran who has lived in the U.S. since 1998, is feeling relieved. The extension allows him to continue working legally in Houston, where he is the sole family member with temporary status, as his four children are U.S. citizens and his wife holds permanent residency. Without the TPS extension, he could face deportation and separation from his family.
“It gives me peace of mind, a breath of fresh air,” Palma expressed. “That’s 18 more months of being protected, which provides a sense of stability.” As a community organizer at a day laborer organization, he sends roughly $400 monthly to support his elderly mother, who relies on his assistance.
While the TPS designation grants individuals legal authority to remain in the U.S., it does not offer a long-term route to citizenship. Recipients depend on the government for renewing their status once it expires. Conservative critics argue that the process of renewing TPS can become automatic over time, irrespective of conditions in the individual’s home country.
This recent announcement coincided with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro taking office for another six-year term amidst significant international condemnation. The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that the decision was motivated by the grave humanitarian issues stemming from political and economic crises in Venezuela under Maduro’s administration.
The Department also noted “environmental conditions” in El Salvador, including substantial rainfall and storms over the last two years, that hinder the safe return of individuals from that country.
Created in 1990 by Congress, TPS was designed to prevent deportations to nations experiencing natural disasters or civil unrest. The program allows individuals to work legally for up to 18 months at a time. Currently, about one million immigrants from 17 different nations, including Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Lebanon, benefit from TPS. The extension for Venezuelans is effective until October 2, 2026, while Salvadorans will enjoy protection until September 9, 2026, after initially receiving TPS in 2001 following devastating earthquakes.
Trump and his running mate JD Vance have suggested they may reduce the use of TPS as they aim for mass deportations. While Trump’s first administration sought to end TPS for El Salvador, those efforts faced delays due to legal challenges.
In recent times, advocacy groups have pressured the Biden administration to consider extending TPS renewals for those already in the program and to protect others from countries like Guatemala and Ecuador.
“This extension is just a small victory,” stated Felipe Arnoldo Díaz, an activist with the National TPS Alliance. “We are particularly concerned that once TPS expires for El Salvador, there are other countries at risk, such as Nepal, Nicaragua, and Honduras, that could be overlooked.”
The financial support that Salvadorans send back home significantly contributes to the economy of their home country, potentially complicating efforts to terminate TPS for this U.S. ally. Trump’s administration maintained favorable relations with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who collaborated closely with Trump to curtail illegal immigration to the U.S. Remittances from Salvadorans in the U.S. total around $7.5 billion annually.
Bukele remains highly popular largely due to his aggressive security measures, which have drastically reduced gang activity in El Salvador.
