The Department of Homeland Security announced that about 600,000 Venezuelans and more than 230,000 Salvadorans living in the U.S. can legally remain for another 18 months under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This extension was made just before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, raising concerns over the uncertain future of TPS under his administration. TPS was also extended for Ukrainians and Sudanese already in the U.S.
For individuals like José Palma, a Salvadoran with TPS living in Houston, the extension offers peace of mind and stability, as it allows him to continue working legally and support his family. TPS provides temporary legal status but does not offer a path to citizenship, leaving individuals reliant on the government renewing their status.
The extension was based on humanitarian emergencies in Venezuela and El Salvador, where political and economic crises have created severe conditions. Over 1 million immigrants from 17 countries are protected by TPS, with Venezuelans having one of the largest beneficiary groups. Salvadorans were granted TPS in 2001 due to earthquakes, with their extension now running until 2026.
Trump and his administration had attempted to scale back the use of TPS, but court challenges delayed some of these efforts. Advocates have been pushing for TPS extensions and protections for other countries like Guatemala and Ecuador. While the extension offers relief for individuals like Victor Macedo, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 fleeing death threats in Venezuela, the future of TPS remains uncertain under the incoming administration.
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