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ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 9, 2026—As we await further guidance from the federal government about the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador, Montgomery County stands with Salvadoran TPS holders and community members from other TPS-designated counties whose lives have been upended or continue to be uncertain.
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of specifically designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS provides eligible individuals who are already in the United States with protection from deportation and authorization to work. It does not grant an immigrant visa, permanent residency (Green Card) or a direct path to U.S. citizenship, nor does TPS automatically convert into or provide a pathway to a Green Card.
Across our County, TPS holders have built their lives, raised families, contributed to our economy and strengthened our communities. Changes to TPS designations have left families facing difficult questions about their ability to remain together, continue working and maintain the lives they have built.
We recognize the enormous contributions the more than 200,000 thousand Salvadoran TPS holders have made, and continue to make, to our nation. El Salvador has been designated for TPS since 2001, meaning residents have lived and worked in this country and in our community for approximately 25 years. These are our parents and grandparents, homeowners and workers, business owners, neighbors and community leaders. They have raised families, purchased homes, started businesses and established deep roots in the communities they call home. According to Fwd.us and the National TPS Alliance, more than 150,000 U.S. citizen children have a Salvadoran TPS parent and depend on their parents’ contributions to the U.S. workforce.
The impact would be felt especially deeply here in Montgomery County. According to Montgomery Planning data, more than 74,000 Montgomery County residents identify as being of Salvadoran origin, making the Salvadoran community the largest Latino community in Montgomery County.
The uncertainty surrounding TPS is not simply an immigration policy issue, it is a human and economic issue affecting families who have lived, worked and contributed to our communities for decades. Salvadoran TPS holders contribute an estimated $5.4 billion to the U.S. economic each year and pay approximately $1.5 billion annually in combined federal, state and local taxes. An estimated 152,000 are part of the U.S. workforce. In the Washington metropolitan region alone, Salvadoran TPS holders contribute an estimated $965 million to the economy each year.
The possibility that long-term residents could lose their immigration protections and ability to work lawfully creates tremendous fear and instability, not only for TPS holders themselves, but also for their children, families, employers and the communities that have relied on their contributions for decades.
In Montgomery County, we stand together with our neighbors, support one another in times of uncertainty, and reject the politics of division and destruction that seek to tear our community apart. We remain committed to ensuring that our residents have access to reliable information, trusted legal resources, and support as this situation develops.
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Resources and Helpful Information for TPS Holders:
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Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center: Montgomery County residents can access Know Your Rights information, immigration legal-service referrals and other immigrant resources. The Gilchrist Center’s Information and Referral Line is 240-777-4940, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Legal Clinics: Montgomery County residents with low incomes can receive free in-person or telephone legal consultations. Call 301-424-7651 for information.
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Maryland Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs: Maryland provides resources for immigrant residents, including free and low-cost immigration legal assistance and other support services.
- Stay informed: TPS holders should monitor official announcements from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the status of El Salvador’s TPS designation.
- Avoid immigration scams: Residents should be cautious of anyone promising a “quick fix” or guaranteed immigration status. Immigration legal advice should come from a licensed attorney or a Department of Justice-accredited representative.
- For all other inquiries call the County’s MC311 Contact Center, a source for non-emergency government information and services. You can reach MC311 by calling 311 in the County or 240-777-0311, 711 for MD Relay TTY, from anywhere, Monday - Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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