Updated
Updated · NBC Washington · Sep 10
USCIS Keeps 170,000 Salvadorans' TPS and Work Permits in Force Until Further Notice
Updated
Updated · NBC Washington · Sep 10

USCIS Keeps 170,000 Salvadorans' TPS and Work Permits in Force Until Further Notice

3 articles · Updated · NBC Washington · Sep 10

Summary

  • Late Wednesday, USCIS said Salvadorans under Temporary Protected Status will keep deportation protection and work authorization past the program’s scheduled midnight expiration.
  • Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act triggers an automatic extension when the government misses the 60-day notice deadline; an immigration lawyer said that could carry TPS to March 9, 2027.
  • More than 170,000 Salvadorans nationwide are covered, including 32,359 in the Washington metro area, the largest concentration in the country.
  • Employers may face short-term verification problems because USCIS has not yet issued updated documentation, even though beneficiaries remain authorized to work until a formal announcement.

Insights

How does a delayed decision on a 25-year temporary status serve as a hidden diplomatic tool for international migration enforcement?
What happens to critical industries if over 170,000 deeply rooted workers suddenly lose their legal status overnight?