There is only a week left for Salvadorans with temporary protected status (TPS) to renew their work authorizations and legal status. Between 5,000 and 10,000 Long Islanders live with TPS, making this is a very important temporary immigration program for our region. This program has been hugely beneficial to Salvadorans and their families, as well as to the people who rely on them as employees.
The last day for Salvadorans to file their renewals is March 9, 2015. It takes an average of three to four months after the application is filed for the person renewing TPS to receive their work permit. The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that it will call all Salvadorans renewing TPS in for new fingerprints, which could add to delays.
To protect Salvadorans during this period, Homeland Security has granted an automatic extension of work authorization for those with TPS. Here is what the press release from USCIS says:
“USCIS recognizes that some re-registrants may not receive their new EAD until after their current one expires. Therefore, USCIS is automatically extending current TPS El Salvador EADs that have a March 9, 2015, expiration date for an additional six months. These existing EADs will now be valid through Sept. 9, 2015.”
The Department of Homeland Security also posted a video explaining the automatic extension of work authorization for Salvadorans.
For help, call CARECEN at 516-489-8330 in Nassau or 631-273-8759 in Suffolk, or Catholic Charities at 631-789-5210.
