Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, effective March 10, 2015, through Sept. 9, 2016. This allows Salvadorans who have already been granted TPS the opportunity to renew their status. There are between 5,000 and 10,000 Salvadorans on Long Island eligible for TPS.
The 60-day re-registration period runs from Jan. 7, 2015, through March 9, 2015. Salvadorans should re-register as soon as possible. There has been some confusion among those with TPS wondering if they should register for the new administrative relief program created by President Barack Obama in November. In fact, those with TPS are not eligible for administrative relief. Accordingly, those with TPS should re-register for TPS.
There has also been 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.”
For help, call CARECEN at 516-489-8330 in Nassau or 631-273-8759 in Suffolk, or Catholic Charities at 631-789-5210.
