Dem CA Rep urges DHS to extend TPS for El Salvadorans in US for 25 years, claims their departure would 'cause harm' to local economy

California Democratic Representative Luz Rivas is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans who have been living in the US for 25 years. 

In a public letter addressed to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Rivas noted that TPS for Salvadorans has been in place since 2001 and currently protects over 170,000 individuals. Rivas called on the Trump administration to “swiftly extend” the TPS designation by July 11, 2026, which is 60 days before its September 9 expiration. 

Rivas argued that TPS holders are “deeply woven into the fabric of communities across the country as small business owners, public servants, and essential workers.” She argued that the current TPS designation granted to immigrants has protected them from earthquakes, gang violence, and political instability.

“The potential disruption in TPS status for over 170,000 Salvadorans will cause significant harm to local economies and communities around the country,” Rivas wrote. “Salvadoran TPS holders contribute an estimated $5.4 billion to every corner of the U.S. economy. Salvadoran TPS holders have an almost 90 percent participation rate in the U.S. labor force, with 10 percent being self-employed small business owners.”

“Our country has a long, beautiful history of providing refuge to migrants coming from dire circumstances caused by natural disasters, armed conflict, or political instability,” Rivas added. “Migrants have been the foundation of America's success, and the extension of the TPS will provide short-term relief and the opportunity to continue contributing to our nation's success.”

TPS is intended to be a temporary program to allow migrants from countries facing conditions like war, natural disasters, or potential instability to stay in the US temporarily. However, critics have noted that this status, being implemented for multiple decades, is no longer temporary, and such programs should come to an end.

Additionally, the country of El Salvador has undergone a historic reduction in violent crime under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, who has presided over the arrest of tens of thousands of suspected gang members.

The Supreme Court recently ruled to allow the Trump administration to revoke TPS protections for approximately 350,000 Haitians in the country, clearing the way for the federal government to deport those under this TPS designation. The court also sided with the administration’s move to end TPS protections for Syria.

Roughly 1.3 million migrants from 17 countries are currently covered under TPS.