President-elect Donald Trump suggested that his administration may reduce the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which currently helps over 1 million immigrants in the United States. TPS allows people from 17 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Venezuela, and Lebanon, to live and work in the U.S. temporarily because it is unsafe for them to return to their home countries. Venezuelans, Haitians, and Salvadorans are the largest groups of TPS beneficiaries. Another program, humanitarian parole, is also in question.

The program gives eligible individuals permission to work and stay in the U.S. for up to 18 months, with the possibility of extensions depending on the conditions in their home countries. For example, the TPS program for El Salvador is set to end in March 2025, and for Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela, it is scheduled to end in April 2025. However, the U.S. government can end the program earlier, with a 60-day notice.

During Trump’s first term, some TPS programs were set to expire without being renewed. This led to legal challenges, and courts blocked the end of TPS for countries like El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan. Under President Biden, these programs were extended. Experts warn that removing work permits for over a million people could harm the U.S. economy.

TPS was created by Congress in 1990, partly in response to the civil war in El Salvador. The program was meant to protect people from countries where it was too dangerous to return. While TPS does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship, it allows individuals to seek other immigration options while in the U.S.

If you have questions about TPS or other U.S. immigration issues, please contact us. Take advantage of the opportunity to pursue options before programs expire. Our team of  experienced attorneys work with our clients every step of the way.