El Salvador's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation ends September 9, 2026, terminating employment authorization for approximately 232,000 Salvadoran nationals. USCIS is automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) through that date, but after September 9, work permits issued under TPS category codes A-12 and C-19 expire and employers can no longer accept them as proof of authorization to work. Most TPS holders lack underlying legal immigration status and will revert to "no status" when the designation ends. Alternatives remain available—including asylum, family-based immigration, or employment sponsorship—but they require action before or immediately after the deadline.
Table of Contents
- TPS Expires After 25 Years of Protection
- Employment Authorization Ends Immediately
- "No Status" and Deportation Risk
- Available Alternatives Before and After September 9
- Steps to Take Now
- What Employers Need to Know
- Frequently Asked Questions
TPS Expires After 25 Years of Protection
tps is a temporary immigration benefit that protects nationals of designated countries from deportation and grants work authorization when their home countries face humanitarian crises. El Salvador received this status in 2001 and has held it continuously for 25 years, through multiple presidential administrations.
The designation covered citizens affected by civil conflict and natural disasters, allowing them to remain in the U.S. legally and hold jobs. The current TPS designation terminates on September 9, 2026, per official notice. Individuals no longer benefit from protection against removal or work authorization once this date passes.
Employment Authorization Ends Immediately
USCIS automatically extends all eligible EADs through September 9 via mail and myUSCIS account notifications. Extended documents carry the same A-12 or C-19 category codes as original permits. after September 9, these category codes no longer confer work authorization, and employers must reject them in I-9 employment verification.
Individuals holding extended EADs should use the remaining days before expiration to complete any employment transitions or secure alternative authorization documents. Once expired, proof of work authorization under TPS becomes invalid for all future employment.
"No Status" and Deportation Risk
Most TPS holders lack a separate legal immigration status—they were protected by TPS specifically, not by a green card, visa, or other independent benefit. When TPS ends, these individuals revert to "no status" and become deportable. They lose the right to work, renew drivers' licenses (in most states), travel outside the U.S., or access federal benefits tied to lawful status.
The transition creates immediate practical challenges. Employers will not hire workers without valid authorization, and individuals without status face increased vulnerability to immigration enforcement. The window between TPS expiration and alternative relief is critical.
Available Alternatives Before and After September 9
Asylum remains available as an alternative if filed before TPS expires. The one-year deadline for asylum filing restarts on September 10, 2026, for individuals who do not file before expiration, making September 9 a hard cutoff for preserving certain rights. Additional alternatives include family-based immigration (if eligible relatives petition), employment-based sponsorship from an employer, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protection for abuse survivors, or removal-based relief such as withholding of removal.
Each path has distinct eligibility requirements and timelines. Individuals should consult an immigration attorney to identify which option applies to their specific circumstances.
Steps to Take Now
TPS holders should act before September 9 to preserve options: Waiting until after September 9 closes the one-year asylum clock and narrows available pathways. Legal aid organizations and immigration nonprofits in Salvadoran-American communities often provide free or low-cost consultations.
- Consult an immigration attorney to evaluate asylum eligibility or other relief options.
- Gather documents needed for asylum or alternative applications (identity, police records, evidence of persecution or fear).
- File asylum applications if eligible; this is typically the fastest path to maintain work authorization.
- Explore family petitions or employment sponsorship through current or potential employers.
- Verify current EAD status through myUSCIS and confirm receipt of extension notices.
What Employers Need to Know
Employers currently employing TPS holders should be aware that extended EADs expire September 9. Category codes A-12 and C-19 will no longer be valid for employment verification after that date. Employers cannot knowingly retain workers without authorization once their documents expire. Affected employees should inform supervisors or HR departments of their status and timeline so employers can plan transitions. Some employees may obtain alternative work authorization through applications filed before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have an extended EAD, do I need to do anything before September 9?
Extended EADs automatically expire on September 9 and require no action to end. However, you should consult an immigration attorney immediately about filing for asylum or another benefit to maintain work authorization beyond that date.
Can I apply for asylum after September 9?
Yes, but the one-year filing deadline will begin on September 10, and filing after the TPS expiration may reduce other protections and options. Filing before September 9 is strongly preferred.
Will I be deported immediately after September 9?
No, deportation requires an immigration court proceeding. However, you will be deportable and vulnerable to enforcement. Without work authorization, you cannot legally work, and your status is uncertain.
What if my employer sponsors me for an employment-based visa?
Your employer can petition for work authorization, but this process typically takes months or years. You should consult an immigration attorney about timing, eligibility, and whether interim relief is available while a petition processes.