2026 Alert: DHS Terminates TPS for El Salvador — What Green Card Applicants Must Know

The Department of Homeland Security has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, with all related benefits set to expire on September 9, 2026. This decision affects tens of thousands of Salvadoran nationals currently residing in the United States under TPS protections. USCIS is proactively reaching out to El Salvador TPS recipients who remain eligible but have not yet received renewed Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with category codes A-12 or C-19. For those with still-pending TPS-based EAD applications, USCIS is issuing notices confirming that their expired EADs are automatically extended through September 9, 2026 — the final day of the TPS designation. For EB-3 applicants and green card seekers in the Salvadoran community, this termination creates urgency around pursuing permanent residency pathways. Individuals currently on TPS who have employer sponsors or pending I-140 petitions should consult with immigration counsel to evaluate their options before the September 2026 deadline. TPS recipients who do not transition to another lawful immigration status before the termination date may face loss of work authorization and potential removal proceedings. Those with pending adjustment of status applications or approved immigrant petitions should prioritize completing their green card process.