Biden Administration Extends Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Sudan, Venezuela, and Ukraine

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of El Salvador, Venezuela, Sudan, and Ukraine.

El Salvador
TPS for El Salvador has been extended from March 10, 2025, to September 9, 2026, due to ongoing environmental challenges, including severe storms and heavy rainfall that have compounded the effects of the 2001 earthquakes. This extension allows approximately 232,000 eligible Salvadoran nationals to re-register for TPS and renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The Federal Register notice outlines the process and timelines for re-registration.

“After reviewing the country conditions in El Salvador and consulting with interagency partners, DHS determined that an 18-month TPS extension is warranted due to ongoing environmental disasters that have caused substantial but temporary disruptions to living conditions in affected areas of El Salvador. The extension is based on geological and weather events, including significant storms and heavy rainfall in 2023 and 2024, which continue to impact areas heavily affected by the 2001 earthquakes. Those earthquakes were the basis for El Salvador’s initial TPS designation on March 9, 2001,” according to the DHS announcement.

Venezuela
The TPS extension for Venezuela, effective from April 3, 2025, to October 2, 2026, is based on the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by political and economic instability under the Maduro regime. High crime rates, lack of access to essential services, and widespread violence have made safe return impossible. Approximately 600,000 eligible Venezuelans can re-register to maintain their TPS status.

“After reviewing the country conditions in Venezuela and consulting with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month TPS extension is warranted based on the severe humanitarian emergency the country continues to face due to political and economic crises under the inhumane Maduro regime. These conditions have contributed to high levels of crime and violence, impacting access to food, medicine, healthcare, water, electricity, and fuel. Such a determination meets the statutory obligation to decide, at least 60 days before the expiration of a TPS designation, whether the conditions for designation continue to be met and merit an extension,” DHS noted in its statement.

Sudan
TPS for Sudan has been extended through October 19, 2026, due to armed conflict and political instability that continue to cause severe human rights violations. The extension covers approximately 1,900 Sudanese nationals who must re-register within the specified timelines to retain their status and work authorization.

“After reviewing the country conditions in Sudan and consulting with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month TPS extension is warranted because of continued political instability that has triggered human rights abuses, including direct attacks on civilians. Militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and preventing remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies. These conditions currently prevent Sudanese nationals and habitual residents from safely returning. Such a determination meets the statutory obligation to decide, at least 60 days before the expiration of a TPS designation, whether the conditions for designation continue to be met and merit an extension,” DHS indicated.

Ukraine
The extension for Ukraine runs from April 19, 2025, to October 19, 2026, in response to the ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s military invasion. Approximately 103,700 Ukrainians are eligible to re-register for TPS and renew their EADs.

“After reviewing the country conditions in Ukraine and consulting with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month TPS extension is warranted because of conditions resulting from the expansion of the Russian military invasion into Ukraine, the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II. Russia’s expanded military invasion has led to high numbers of civilian casualties and reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russian military forces and officials. This invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis, with significant numbers of individuals fleeing and damage to civilian infrastructure that has left many without electricity or access to medical services. These conditions prevent Ukrainian nationals and habitual residents from safely returning. Such a determination meets the statutory obligation to decide, at least 60 days before the expiration of a TPS designation, whether the conditions for designation continue to be met and merit an extension,” DHS reported.

“A soon-to-be-published Federal Register notice will explain the eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs,” DHS said in the release.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program established by the United States to provide temporary legal status to individuals from countries experiencing extraordinary circumstances that make it unsafe for them to return. These circumstances may include armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other significant challenges that disrupt living conditions.

TPS allows eligible nationals of designated countries to live and work in the U.S. for a specified period without fear of deportation. While it is not a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, TPS provides critical protections for individuals until conditions in their home countries improve. The program requires periodic review, and extensions or terminations are announced based on updated assessments of country conditions.