MIAMI — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that approximately 600,000 Venezuelans and over 230,000 Salvadorans currently residing in the country will be allowed to extend their legal stay for an additional 18 months. This development comes just days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated a shift towards stricter immigration policies.
The Biden administration has been a strong proponent of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), broadening its reach to cover roughly 1 million individuals. However, the future of TPS appears uncertain with Trump, who previously aimed to limit its application during his initial presidential term. Although there are federal provisions allowing for the early termination of extensions, this has never been enacted.
In addition to Venezuelans and Salvadorans, the TPS has also been extended for more than 103,000 Ukrainians and around 1,900 Sudanese individuals in the U.S.
For José Palma, a 48-year-old Salvadoran who has been living in the United States since 1998, this extension comes as a significant relief, allowing him to continue working legally in Houston. As the sole individual in his family with TPS, the threat of deportation loomed large if the extension had not been granted, potentially separating him from his wife, a permanent resident, and their four children, all U.S. citizens. “It brings me peace of mind, a breath of fresh air,” Palma expressed, emphasizing the stability it affords him.
Palma, who serves as an organizer at a day laborer group, also supports his elderly mother in El Salvador financially, sending approximately $400 each month to help with her living expenses.
While TPS enables recipients to stay in the U.S. legally, it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, leaving individuals dependent on governmental renewals when their status lapses. Critics from conservative circles argue that, over time, these renewals can become routine, irrespective of the conditions in the home nations of the immigrants.
The recent announcement coincides with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro beginning another six-year term amid considerable international backlash and reflects the ongoing humanitarian crises fueling mass emigration from the country. The Department of Homeland Security attributed the necessity for the TPS extension to the ongoing political and economic turmoil under Maduro’s leadership.
The agency also referenced “environmental conditions” in El Salvador, such as severe storms and excessive rainfall over the past two years, creating significant obstacles for returnees.
Established in 1990, TPS aims to shield individuals from deportation when their home countries experience natural disasters or civil unrest. TPS allows affected individuals to work legally in the U.S. for up to 18 months at a time. Currently, around 1 million immigrants from 17 distinct nations—including Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Lebanon—benefit from this status.
Salvadorans initially received TPS in 2001 after their country faced devastating earthquakes, with their latest extension now set to last until September 9, 2026, despite its prior expiration date in March.
During the election campaign, Trump and his running mate JD Vance hinted at reducing the scope of TPS and exploring mass deportations as a primary objective. In his previous term, Trump attempted to terminate TPS for El Salvador, but legal challenges intervened.
Recently, advocates have intensified their efforts, urging the Biden administration to not only renew TPS for existing beneficiaries but also to consider protections for individuals from other nations like Guatemala and Ecuador.
“This extension is just a small victory,” commented Felipe Arnoldo Díaz, an activist involved with the National TPS Alliance. “Our biggest concern is that after El Salvador, there are other countries like Nepal, Nicaragua, and Honduras whose TPS is approaching expiration and are not being addressed.”
Victor Macedo, a 40-year-old Venezuelan who fled to the U.S. in 2021 amid threats to his life due to political activism, expressed his relief upon learning about the TPS extension. With his status set to expire in April, the news came as a significant reassurance. “It is a very big relief. I was afraid,” said Macedo, who is currently working as a house remodeler in Davie, Florida. “TPS helps me have legal status, work, and drive.”
