TPS Program for Salvadoran Nationals (March 2001)
Posted Mar 18, 2001

The President announced on March 2, 2001 that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) had been granted to nationals of El Salvador who have been residing in the U.S. since at least February 13, 2001. TPS, as its name implies, is a temporary measure to protect persons who cannot return to their countries because of natural disaster, civil war, or other emergency. The U.S. government designates particular countries for this purpose, and allows nationals of those countries who are in the U.S. to apply for TPS along with employment authorization. Persons who have been registered for TPS are protected against deportation / removal to their respective home countries.

The recent, massive, earthquakes in El Salvador have led to the grant of TPS in this case. According to the White House announcement, there were 1,100 deaths, 7,859 people injured, and over 2,500 persons still missing. About one-sixth of the Salvadoran population has been displaced by the disaster and financial losses have amounted to more than half the country's annual budget. Therefore, El Salvador is for the time being unable to adequately resettle persons returning from abroad.

To register for TPS, eligible Salvadorans must file an application form as well as an application for employment authorization. The employment authorization application must be submitted whether or not one wishes to work; however, a person who does not want an employment authorization card would not submit a fee for the application. In such a case, only the fee for the TPS application is needed. These forms (Form I-821 and Form I-765) are available from the toll-free INS Forms line, 1-800-870-3676, and through murthy.com.