Biden Extends TPS for Over 200,000 Salvadorans Ahead of Trump Presidency/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Biden administration extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 200,000 Salvadorans for 18 months, allowing them to remain legally in the U.S. This decision, one of Biden’s final immigration acts, highlights the program’s uncertain future under President-elect Donald Trump, who previously sought to end TPS protections.
Temporary Protected Status: Quick Looks
- TPS Extension Granted: Over 200,000 Salvadorans can legally stay in the U.S. for another 18 months.
- Biden’s Legacy: TPS has expanded under Biden, protecting 1 million immigrants from 17 countries.
- Uncertain Future: Trump has indicated plans to scale back TPS and implement mass deportations.
- El Salvador Relations: U.S. remittances, totaling $7.5 billion annually, are vital to El Salvador’s economy.
- Personal Impact: Salvadorans like José Palma in Houston can continue working and supporting families.
Biden Extends TPS for Over 200,000 Salvadorans Ahead of Trump Presidency
Deep Look
The Biden administration announced Friday that it has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 200,000 Salvadorans living in the United States. The decision allows them to remain legally for another 18 months, marking a significant act of immigration policy as President Joe Biden nears the end of his term.
The Role of TPS
Created by Congress in 1990, TPS provides temporary legal status to immigrants from countries affected by natural disasters, civil unrest, or other extraordinary circumstances. Protected individuals are authorized to live and work in the U.S. for renewable periods of up to 18 months.
Currently, about 1 million people from 17 countries—including Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, and Afghanistan—benefit from TPS protections. Salvadorans, one of the largest groups, were first granted TPS in 2001 following devastating earthquakes in their home country.
Biden’s Immigration Legacy
Biden significantly expanded TPS during his presidency, offering protections to individuals from new countries and renewing them for existing beneficiaries. This extension is part of his broader immigration policy, which contrasts starkly with President-elect Donald Trump’s stance.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, has pledged to curtail TPS and pursue mass deportations. During his first term, Trump attempted to terminate TPS for Salvadorans, but those efforts were blocked in court.
Economic and Political Implications
El Salvador relies heavily on remittances from its citizens in the U.S., totaling about $7.5 billion annually. This economic dependency complicates any effort to end TPS. President Nayib Bukele, a close Trump ally, has focused on economic and security reforms, gaining immense popularity at home.
Bukele’s heavy-handed security measures, including mass arrests of suspected gang members, have significantly reduced crime. In 2024, El Salvador reported just 114 homicides, a record low compared to the 6,656 homicides in 2015.
Personal Stories
For individuals like José Palma, a 48-year-old Salvadoran living in Houston since 1998, the extension offers crucial stability. Palma, the only member of his family with TPS, works legally and supports his family, including his four U.S.-born children and his wife, a permanent resident.
“This gives me peace of mind and stability for 18 more months,” Palma said. He sends $400 monthly to his retired mother in El Salvador, who relies on his financial support.
Uncertain Future Under Trump
While the extension grants immediate relief, the future of TPS remains uncertain under the incoming Trump administration. Trump’s rhetoric has consistently focused on reducing immigration, and his previous attempts to terminate TPS for Salvadorans reflect his stance.
If Trump seeks to roll back TPS protections, Congress would play a critical role in determining whether Salvadorans and other beneficiaries can remain in the U.S.
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