The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced last week the renewal period for Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status has begun. According to a notice published by USCIS, they must re-register between January 18, 2018, and March 19, 2018. The notice goes on to say that:
USCIS will issue new EADs [Employment Authorization Document] with a Sept. 9, 2019, expiration date to eligible Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, however, USCIS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on March 9, 2018. Accordingly, USCIS has automatically extended the validity of EADs issued and currently valid under the TPS designation of El Salvador for 180 days, through Sept. 5, 2018.
The notice reminds Salvadorans that while they have received a temporary reprieve with the 18 month extension, this is the final grant of TPS for the 200,000 Salvadorans currently protected under the program. Those with TPS should begin exploring other possible avenues for remaining in the United States. Salvadorans are also urged to renew their TPS as soon as possible to avoid mail delays.
USCIS is offering more information on renewing here.
There will be a meeting on January 24 at 3:45 p.m. at CARECEN’s Brentwood office explaining the end of Salvadoran TPS and what options Salvadorans with TPS have. The meeting is free and is in Spanish. The office is located at 2000 Brentwood Road, second floor in Brentwood. The same meeting will be offered at CARECEN in Hempstead on January 25 at 3:30 p.m. at CARECEN 91 North Franklin Street, Suite 208, Hempstead.
As a final note, this re-registration period is only open to those who already have TPS.
