U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that Salvadoran beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) remain protected and authorized to work while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers the future of El Salvador’s TPS designation. 

El Salvador’s most recent TPS designation was scheduled to remain in effect through September 9, 2026. DHS has not yet announced a formal extension or termination. According to the USCIS El Salvador TPS webpage, Salvadoran individuals present in the United States under TPS will retain protection, including employment authorization, until DHS makes a further announcement. 

This guidance means employers should not treat September 9, 2026, as an automatic loss of employment authorization for current Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries. At the same time, USCIS has not announced a new expiration date, issued a blanket extension of TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents, or provided specific instructions for updating Forms I-9 and E-Verify records. 

What Employers Should Do Now 

Employers with affected workers should: 

• Refrain from suspending or terminating an employee solely because the employee’s Salvadoran TPS documentation reflects a September 9, 2026, expiration date. 

• Avoid requesting specific or additional documents beyond what the Form I-9 rules permit. 

• Consult immigration counsel before completing reverification or taking other employment action based on an expired TPS-based document. 

• Continue monitoring the USCIS El Salvador TPS webpage and Form I-9 Related News for documentation and reverification instructions. 

The current USCIS announcement preserves TPS protection and work authorization only while DHS’s decision remains pending. Employers should be prepared to respond promptly when the agency issues formal guidance.