U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced which eliminated TPS - Temporary Protected Status - for immigrants from Nicaragua, but will give them 12 months to apply for another immigration benefit to remain in the United States or prepare to return to their country.
The decision will affect approximately 2,550 Nicaraguans covered under the program who will lose their permits to live and work legally in the United States as of January 5, 2019. If they do not find another legal way to remain in the country, they will be undocumented and subject to deportation.
According to DHS, Nicaragua no longer meets the conditions under immigration law to remain in TPS. In addition, the Nicaraguan government did not request that DHS continue to extend its designation.
You can see the DHS memorandum on the elimination of TPS for Nicaragua by doing click here.
DHS also decided to extend TPS for approximately 57,000 Hondurans for an additional six months until July 5, 2018. At the end of that period, DHS will announce whether they will terminate or extend TPS for Hondurans.
In the DHS memorandum on TPS extension for HondurasDHS Acting Secretary Elaine C. Duke noted "that the successful reintegration of TPS nationals into the Honduran economy could have a significant impact on the Department's recent efforts to stem the flow of illegal immigration, confront violent gangs, and thwart transnational criminal organizations. Therefore, I have directed members of my leadership team to continue to engage with the government of Honduras as we assess the country's conditions and its ability to handle the potential orderly transition of its nationals back to their country of origin."
It remains to be seen what will happen with TPS for El Salvador. Currently, the program covers approximately 195,000 Salvadorans until March 9, 2018, when its protection expires.
Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sent a letter to Secretary Duke stating that the conditions that justified TPS protection for these immigrants no longer exist.
President Trump's administration reaffirmed that TPS was never intended to be a pathway to permanent legalization, but rather a temporary humanitarian program.
Secretary Duke also said she will work together with the Trump Administration to encourage the U.S. Congress to consider changes to immigration laws, consistent with President Trump's immigration priorities, to provide a permanent solution for people who have lived and worked in the United States for so many years in TPS.
TPS was created by Congress in 1990 to temporarily protect foreign nationals from countries in precarious conditions caused by natural disasters or armed conflicts, among others.
TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua was granted on January 5, 1999 following the effects of Hurricane Mitch in Central America in late October 1998.
TPS for El Salvador was granted on March 9, 2001 following the earthquakes that affected the country in January and February of that year.
