Biden Blocks Trump From Deporting Illegals

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced an 18-month extension for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans and over 230,000 Salvadorans currently residing in the U.S., ensuring they can legally stay in the country as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Trump, known for his stringent immigration policies, had previously attempted to significantly limit the use of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) during his first term.

This program, which Biden’s administration has expanded to cover around 1 million people, grants temporary refuge to those unable to safely return to their home countries due to ongoing crises or natural disasters. The program’s future remains uncertain with the upcoming administration change. Additionally, Homeland Security extended TPS for more than 103,000 Ukrainians and 1,900 Sudanese in the U.S.

For José Palma, a 48-year-old Salvadoran who has been in the U.S. since 1998, this extension offers a chance to continue working legally in Houston and support his family. Palma is the sole temporary status holder in his family, with his children being U.S. citizens and his wife a permanent resident. Without this extension, he faced the threat of deportation.

TPS allows beneficiaries like Palma to remain in the U.S. legally, though it does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. The necessity for periodic renewal by the government means these individuals live with uncertainty, dependent on the ongoing acknowledgment of their need for protection.

The timing of this extension coincides with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro beginning another term amid international critique, and highlights severe conditions in El Salvador that currently prevent safe returns, such as recent extreme weather events.

Since its creation in 1990, TPS has provided crucial work authorization and deportation protection to people from countries experiencing severe disruptions. As Trump and his team, including JD Vance, indicate plans to curtail such policies, advocates have been actively pressing for extensions for existing beneficiaries and expansions to include other nations facing crises.

This policy extension has provided immense relief to individuals like Victor Macedo, a 40-year-old Venezuelan in Florida, who faced threats back home due to his political activism. With his TPS initially set to expire soon, the recent announcement has alleviated his fears, allowing him to continue working and living legally in the U.S.