The Central America Resource Center (CARECEN) announces that the Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for 18 months, until March 9, 2018, for Salvadoran immigrants who are already protected under the program. The re-registration period ends on Sept. 6.
“It’s very important that TPS beneficiaries take advantage of this opportunity,” said Daniel Sharp, legal director at CARECEN. “Other measures, such as the administrative relief known as DACA, are not available for those who are under TPS protection.”
This extension allows beneficiaries to get a new work permit. All beneficiaries who qualify and register during the designated period will receive a work permit valid until March 9, 2018. It is possible that some might not receive their work permit until after the current permit expires; therefore, to prevent job losses, the permit that expires on Sept. 9 has been extended automatically for six more months.
It’s important that every Salvadoran under TPS protection renew those permits as soon as possible.
CARECEN, which has offices in Los Angeles and Van Nuys, offers legal assistance to Salvadorans to process their TPS extension and their work permit. CARECEN will prepare TPS applications Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and recommends that applicants re-register well before the Sept. 6 deadline to obtain the work permit sooner and avoid suspensions, problems, or rejection of their application.
The cost to renew TPS with USCIS, including fingerprints, is $465. Those who don’t require a work permit should renew their TPS anyway so they do not lose the temporary protection. Renovation of TPS without a work permit costs $85.
In certain cases, USCIS can forgive the $465 fee if the applicant can prove low income status. Therefore, lack of money should not preclude TPS renovation; however, if you want to request a fee waiver, you should do so as soon as possible.
In general, any immigration process, including TPS renovation, requires legal assistance. Immigration consultants and notarios cannot legally provide advice in immigration services. For more information regarding immigration services fraud, visit the CARECEN website (carecen-la.org).