The government of El Salvador, led by President Nayib Bukele, is actively seeking “comprehensive” and “permanent” solutions for Salvadorans living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as those in irregular status, according to a statement by a foreign ministry official.

Cindy Portal, the Deputy Minister of Diaspora and Human Mobility at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that El Salvador respects the sovereign decisions of other nations when asked about potential mass deportations under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals. Portal highlighted that Trump’s public statements suggested that mass deportations would target “bad residents” or individuals who violate laws and disrupt social order in the U.S.

Portal also stressed that El Salvador is advocating for a permanent, fair migration solution through high-level negotiations and meetings. The Bukele administration is focused on ensuring a permanent, just solution for Salvadorans with TPS status, as well as those living in the U.S. with irregular status.

In the U.S., over 2 million Salvadorans reside, and their remittances are a crucial support for El Salvador’s economy, contributing over $8 billion in 2023 alone. Last week, the Biden administration announced an extension of TPS for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans and 234,000 Salvadorans, as well as for immigrants from Ukraine and Nepal.

TPS is a U.S. immigration protection granted to individuals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. Salvadorans under TPS received this protection after a devastating earthquake in early 2001, with the extension now valid through September 9, 2026.