The Department of Homeland Security also extended temporary protected status for more than 103,000 Ukrainians and 1,900 Sudanese already living in the United States.
Around 600,000 Venezuelans and more than 230,000 Salvadorans already living in the United States can legally remain there for another 18 months, the US Department of Homeland Security announced Friday, just over a week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office promising policies of very strict immigration.
The Biden administration has strongly supported Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which it has largely expanded to cover about a million people.
However, the future of TPS is uncertain under President Trump, who attempted to significantly reduce its use during his first term.
Federal regulations would allow extensions to be ended early, although this has never been done before.
The Department of Homeland Security also extended TPS for more than 103,000 Ukrainians and 1,900 Sudanese already living in the United States.
For José Palma, a 48-year-old Salvadoran who has lived in the United States since 1998, the extension means that at least for now, he can still work legally in Houston.
He is the only member of his family to benefit from temporary status; his four children were born American citizens and his wife is a permanent resident.
If TPS was not extended, he could be deported and separated from the rest of the family.
“It brings me peace of mind, a breath of fresh air,” Mr. Palma said. “It gives me stability.
Palma, who works as an organizer in a daily workers’ organization, sends around $400 (390 euros) a month to his 73-year-old mother, who is retired and has no income.
TPS status allows affected individuals to reside in the country legally, but does not provide them with a path to long-term citizenship.
They depend on the government renewing their status when it expires.
Conservative critics have argued that over time, renewal of protected status becomes automatic, regardless of what happens in the person’s home country.
Friday’s announcement, which came as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro took office for a third term of six years in Caracas amid widespread international condemnation, is “based on the serious humanitarian emergency that the country continues to face due to the political and economic crises under the Maduro regime,” the ministry said.
The Department of Homeland Security cited “environmental conditions in El Salvador that prevent individuals from returning,” particularly heavy rains and storms over the past two years.
ADVERTISEMENTCongress created TPS in 1990 to prevent deportations to countries experiencing natural disasters or civil unrest, by allowing people to work in increments of up to 18 months.
Approximately one million immigrants from 17 countries are protected by TPSincluding people from Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine and Lebanon.
Venezuelans are one of the main beneficiaries and their extension runs from April 2025 to October 2026.
Salvadorans gained TPS protection in 2001 after earthquakes shook the Central American country. TPS for Salvadorans was set to expire in March and was extended until September next year.
ADVERTISEMENTMr. Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have suggested they would scale back the use of TPS and temporary status policies while continuing mass deportations.
During his first administration, Mr. Trump ended TPS for El Salvador, but his decision was blocked by a court.
In recent months, human rights advocates have increased pressure on the Biden administration to seek an extension of TPS for people who already benefit from it and to protect nationals of other countries like Guatemala and Ecuador.
“This extension is just a small victory,” said Felipe Arnoldo Díaz, an activist with the National Alliance for TPS.
ADVERTISEMENT“Our biggest concern is that after El Salvador there are countries whose TPS is expiring soon and which are being left behind,” such as Nepal, Nicaragua and Honduras.
Victor Macedo, a 40-year-old Venezuelan, arrived in the United States in 2021 after receiving death threats in his country for being a political opposition activist.
He couldn’t believe the news of the extension, as his TPS was set to expire in April.
“It’s a big relief. I was scared,” said Mr. Macedo, who works remodeling homes in Florida. “TPS helps me have legal status, work and be able to drive.
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