Ambassador Glazer confirms TPS Extension
May 2, 2007

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US Ambassador to El Salvador, Charles L. Glazer, together with Salvadoran President Elías Antonio Saca, confirmed this Wendesday, May 2, that the US Department of Homeland Security Secretary has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

The 18-month extension will allow Salvadorans who entered the US before February 13, 2001, and who properly registered under previous extensions, to work legally in the United States until March 2009.  Approximately 230,000 Salvadorans have benefited from TPS.

Secretary Chertoff Extends Temporary Protected Status for eligible Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Salvadorans
Re-Registration Details Forthcoming

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today his decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for eligible nationals of Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador by an additional 18 months. It will allow current TPS beneficiaries from these three countries to extend their status and continue living and working in the United States for an additional 18 months, and will affect approximately 78,000 Hondurans, 4,000 Nicaraguans, and 230,000 Salvadorans. 

The extension is part of the Administration’s ongoing assistance to Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador in recovering from natural disasters that have affected Central America. Current TPS designations for Hondurans and Nicaraguans expire on July 5, 2007.  The current TPS designation for El Salvadorans expires on September 9, 2007.  In accordance with a schedule to be announced in forthcoming Federal Register notices, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin processing TPS re-registration applications for eligible Hondurans and Nicaraguans first. USCIS will make an announcement later this summer on the TPS re-registration process for Salvadorans. All TPS beneficiaries have registered with the department and have been provided with biometric and secure identification cards. 

“Although Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador have made significant progress in their recovery and rebuilding efforts, each country continues to face social and economic challenges in their efforts to restore their nations to normalcy,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez.  “This 18 month extension reflects the United States’ commitment to continue assisting our Central American neighbors on their road to recovery.”

Filing periods for these three designations have not yet begun. Applications received prior to or after the announced registration period for each designation will be rejected.  Details on where, when and how to file under each designation will soon be published in the Federal Register and additional information will be provided online at: www.uscis.gov.  Customers may also call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.