Salvadorans on Temporary Protected Status

The Boston Globe ran a story this weekend about Salvadoran immigrants in the United States. The story coincides with the expiration Tuesday, March 8, of the time period to sign up for an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is the program which allows Salvadorans illegally in the country before 2001 to remain in the country without deportation, if they register, pay taxes and do not commit crimes. The stated reason for TPS is a humanitarian gesture to not deport people to a country recovering from natural disasters such as the 2001 earthquakes.

According to the Globe story, approximately 12% of the Salvadorans in the United States are enrolled under TPS. The Salvadoran government has conducted a large scale publicity campaign to ensure that persons in the program register to extend their eligibility and avoid deportation.

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