September 9, 2002 INS Issues Reminder to Employers About Extension of Temporary Protected Status For Eligible Salvadorans Automatic 6-month extension of existing, TPS-related employment authorization: The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) reminds all employers that on July 9, 2002, the Attorney General extended Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador for a period of 12 months until September 9, 2003. This TPS extension, which covers more than 280,000 Salvadoran registrants, is effective September 9, 2002 and will remain in effect until September 9, 2003. As part of the TPS extension, Attorney General Ashcroft extended the validity of the existing, TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) from September 9, 2002 to March 9, 2003. This will prevent gaps in employment authorization for qualified re-registrants, until March 9, 2003. Given the large number of Salvadorans affected by this notice and given that the initial registration period runs for the duration of the initial 18-month designation period, the Immigration and Naturalization Service recognized that many re-registrants will not receive their new EADs until after their current EADs expire on September 9, 2002. Therefore, applicable EADs will be automatically extended for six months. Automatic extension of employment authorization includes individuals with EADs bearing an expiration date of September 9, 2002, and the notation: �A-12� or �C-19� on the face of the card under �Category� for EADs issued on Form I-766; or �274A.12(A)(12)� or 274A.12(C)(19)� on the face of the card under �Provision of Law� for EADs issued on Form I-688B. For completion of the Form I-9 at the time of hire or re-verification, qualified individuals may present to their employer a TPS-related EAD as proof of identity and employment authorization until March 9, 2003. To minimize confusion over this extension at the time of hire or re-verification, qualified individuals may also present to their employer a copy of the Federal Register notice dated July 11, 2002 referencing the automatic extension of employment authorization documentation until March 9, 2003. Important reminder to all employers: INS reminds employers that the laws prohibiting unfair immigration-related employment practices remain in full force. For questions, employers may call the Service�s Office of Business Liaison Employer Hotline at 1-800-357-2099 to speak to a Service representative. Also, employers may call the office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) Employer Hotline at 1-800-255-8155. Employees or applicants may call the OSC Employee Hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (assistance available in Spanish) for information regarding the automatic extension. -INS-