El Salvador Congress leader hopes U.S. extends TPS for Salvadorans

Ernesto Castro, president of El Salvador's Congress, voiced his hope that the United States will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the roughly 170,000 Salvadorans currently enrolled in the program. "Hopefully, God willing, things will be positive as they have been in previous years, that they will extend this temporary status," Castro told reporters.

The TPS, first granted in 2001 following devastating earthquakes in El Salvador, allows Salvadorans to maintain legal status and work permits in the U.S. This status is crucial for the Salvadoran economy, which relies heavily on remittances from abroad. In 2025, these family remittances, primarily from the U.S., totaled nearly $10 billion, marking a significant increase.

Castro acknowledged that all Salvadorans are awaiting the U.S. government's decision on this migratory status. He added that El Salvador must be prepared to welcome its citizens back if the TPS is not renewed. "I hope they can continue with this extension," he said.

Details remain scarce regarding a recent private meeting between Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Castro stated he was unaware of the specific topics discussed, including whether TPS was on the agenda. However, he affirmed that the Salvadoran government has been actively advocating for its citizens with TPS status in the United States.