President Bush and President Saca announce new TPS extension

September 24, 2008

US President, George W. Bush, together with Salvadoran President Elías Antonio Saca, announced this Wednesday, September 24 at the headquarters of the Council of the Americas in New York a new extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador.

President Bush said that this new extension was “made to improve the lives of El Salvadorans”.  He also added that he was proud to make this important announcement with the Salvadoran President standing by his side. “You've been a very strong and courageous leader, and you have been a friend. And I know this is an issue of concern to you, because you care deeply about the people of your country. And so when you get back home, you can tell the people that TPS has been extended", he added.

The new 18-month extension will allow Salvadorans who entered the US before February 13, 2001, and who properly registered under previous extensions, to work legally in the United States until September 2010.  Approximately 230,000 Salvadorans have benefited from TPS. The current TPS designation for El Salvadorans expires on March 2009. 

Transcript of announcement at Council of the Americas

New York, New York
9:53 A.M. EDT

President Bush: Mr. President, thank you. I want to let my friend know, and the people of El Salvador, that the United States will extend TPS status to El Salvadorans living in our country. This is a decision that was made to improve the lives of El Salvadorans.

I'm proud to make this announcement with you standing by my side. You've been a very strong and courageous leader, and you have been a friend. And I know this is an issue of concern to you, because you care deeply about the people of your country. And so when you get back home, you can tell the people that TPS has been extended.
Thank you, sir. (Applause.)

President Saca: (Remarks are partially translated.) Thank you very much. Thank you very much, President, for extending for 18 months more the TPS for the people of El Salvador. This is going to benefit our Salvadorian people with -- (inaudible) -- in liberty, in democracy, and in integration.

Thank you very much this morning for this extension.