Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans with work visas in the U.S. expired on Wednesday, Sept. 9. That change triggered concern for the more than 43 thousand community members who live in the county.
At Montgomery County Public Schools, the notice from the federal government arrived a month ago. It stated that any employees from El Salvador would soon lose their immigration status. At that point, the schools provided their 54 employees with 30 days’ notice of termination.
According to MCPS Communications Deputy Chief Christopher Cram, late last Wednesday, the government issued a statement that employees with work status could continue to do so legally pending further notification.
MCPS sent those affected the following message:
Update Regarding Your Employment with MCPS
Dear MCPS Team Member,
We are pleased to let you know that Montgomery County Public Schools is reinstating you to your position effective today (Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026) following information received late last evening regarding employees with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador.
Late Wednesday, the federal government posted an online update indicating that employees with this work status may continue working while further federal guidance is pending. As a result, we are pleased to confirm that you are being reinstated to your MCPS position effective immediately.
We are very happy to welcome you back. We know this action and last-minute change has and continues to be difficult for you and your family. We are sorry for that, and we appreciate your understanding during what is a very frustrating process affecting something as important as your work status and income, all as a result of fast-changing federal guidance.
Here is the timeline of what has occurred: 30 days ago, MCPS received information from the federal government indicating that your work authorization was scheduled to expire. Because MCPS must comply with federal employment legal requirements, we provided you with 30 days’ notice of separation. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, we sent a reminder notice that your work authorization was still scheduled to expire and that, as a result, September 9 would be your last day of employment with MCPS.
It is important to understand that this reinstatement is based on the federal guidance currently available to MCPS and may be temporary. Should the federal government take additional action or provide new guidance affecting your work authorization, MCPS will be required to respond accordingly. We will communicate with you as quickly as possible if anything changes.
Thank you for all you do to support our students and the MCPS community. Please know that your work matters, and you are deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dr. Renee McCall
Chief, MCPS Division of Human Resources & Talent Management
Deputy Chief Cram pointed out that none of the Salvadoran employees lost any compensation during this period.
The state of Maryland has one of the largest Salvadoran populations in the United States, with 23 thousand holding work visas. More than 210 thousand Salvadorans live here.
Salvadorans have had Temporary Protected Status since March of 2001 when two major earthquakes rocked their native country.
The Trump administration first sought to end their TPS in 2018 but was delayed by court cases and administrative actions. The Salvadoran TPS is one of the longest in U.S. history.
The status will remain in effect until the Department of Homeland Security makes a final decision about its future.
