Chicago, IL- More than 100 transnational, national, state, and local organizations are urging the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow to take immediate corrective actions to to address longstanding misinformation regarding the correct expiration date of automatically extended Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), for El Salvador Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. This confusion has resulted in the wrongful termination of thousands of lawfully authorized workers across the United States.
The organizations are raising concerns about USCIS delays in processing TPS and EAD forms, as well as the failure to update important databases used by other agencies to verify TPS holders' eligibility for essential services. It is unacceptable that employers, workers, and communities are affected by the inefficiency and poor performance of federal agencies. Just this month, hundreds of Salvadoran TPS workers have lost, and many more will lose their seniority benefits earned over decades with the same employer—including vacation time, bonuses, and salary increases.
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended TPS for El Salvador for 18 months, from March 10, 2025, through September 9, 2026. DHS was aware of processing timelines for TPS re-registration applications, which led USCIS to offer two options to automatically extend the validity of EADs issued under the previous TPS designation through a Federal Register notice. Re-registrants who applied on time are eligible for a 540-day automatic extension, which extends work authorization to September 9, 2026.
In addition, processing delays impacting Salvadoran TPS holders are:
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Mullin promised a "better approach" to the department’s operations. By sending this letter, the signatory organizations remind Mullin of his commitment and urge him to take urgent measures to ensure interagency communication and that all those affected by DHS's poor performance recover their jobs and the benefits they lost.
###
Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We work to advance social justice, equity, and human rights across the Americas.
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) is a national organization that, inspired by the Gospel value of welcoming the stranger, promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community-based legal immigration programs. Its headquarters are in Silver Spring, Maryland (Washington, D.C. metropolitan area), with additional staff working from locations across the country.
