DED for Salvadorans Expires

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

December 2, 1994

Deferred Enforced Departure for Salvadorans Expires December 31, 1994

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will allow the expiration of deferred enforced departure (DED) for nationals of El Salvador on December 31, 1994. After consulting with appropriate government agencies of the U.S. Government and appropriate government officials in El Salvador, it was determined that the political and human rights situation inside El Salvador has improved significantly and can no longer serve as a basis for the continuation of DED.

"We have been sensitive to humanitarian concerns in making the decision to end DED. Salvadorans who are now registered for DED will continue to have substantial legal protections. The impact of DED expiration will be delayed and gradual," said Commissioner Meissner.

The INS will automatically extend for 9 months all DED employment authorizations for Salvadorans previously registered under DED. The INS also anticipates that most affected Salvadorans will be eligible to extend their work authorization under special procedures contained in the settlement agreement reached in American Baptist Churches (ABC) v. Thornburgh. Affected Salvadorans should apply for their new employment authorization documents by June 30, 1995 in order to ensure continuous employment authorization after September 30, 1995. There are an estimated 190,000 protected Salvadorans who may apply for asylum and work authorization under the ABC agreement.

As ABC class members, those Salvadorans covered by DED are entitled to special rights in applying for employment authorization and asylum. Any previously filed asylum application may be supplemented. Class members also have the option of filing a new asylum application even if they have previously filed for asylum. Class members may supplement a previously filed or newly filed asylum application until the date of the decision by an asylum officer.

Necessary forms and "Special Filing Instructions for ABC Class Members" are available on request from the INS Special Programs Line in Spanish and English at 1-800-755-0777, and from local INS offices.

The Immigration Act of 1990 designated nationals of El Salvador for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months beginning January 1, 1991 and ending June 30, 1992. In June, 1992 then President Bush directed INS to delay forced departure of Salvadorans who had registered for TPS until June 30, 1993. And, on June 8, 1993 President Clinton granted a further extension until December 31, 1994.