July 21 2003

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador for a period of 18-months until March 9, 2005. This TPS extension, which covers approximately 290,000 Salvadoran registrants, is effective September 9, 2003 and will remain in effect until March 9, 2005.

Salvadorans who have been granted TPS must re-register during the re-registration period. The re-registration period begins July 16, 2003 and will remain in effect until September 15, 2003.

Under the extension, those who have already been granted TPS are eiligible to live and work in the U.S. for an additional year and continue to maintain their status.