“The agreement between our two countries is a major step forward in resolving the security problems of foreigners arriving in the United States at our southern border,” said current Director Cuccinelli. “We are grateful to El Salvador for showing that cooperation allows us to better ensure the safety of our people, prevent illegal immigration and identify potential threats to our two countries.” Last month, the United States and El Salvador announced another agreement to stem the flow of migrants trying to reach the United States by sending asylum seekers to El Salvador. At the time, it was not clear that El Salvador`s cooperation in the field of asylum would be linked to other bilateral issues, such as the status of Salvadoran GST holders in the United States. “Today`s agreements will go a long way in helping the United States and our Salvadoran partners combat illegal immigration and will strengthen the entire region as we move closer to the implementation of asylum cooperation agreements,” McAleenan said in a statement. In October 2019, the United States reached an agreement with El Salvador on national security issues. El Salvador has agreed to exchange information… In 2018, the Trump administration announced plans to end the GST for El Salvador effective September 2019, as well as plans to end the GST for Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan on various dates. A federal challenge for the layoffs of El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan, Ramos v. Nielsen et al. was filed in March 2018, after which a federal judge temporarily barred the administration from making the layoffs. Under the order, GST benefits for nationals of all four countries were automatically extended until January 2, 2020. The complaint is ongoing, as is a similar complaint, Bhattarai et al.
v. Nielsen et al., regarding layoffs for Honduras and Nepal. Although today`s agreement does not affect the GST for Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua or Sudan, the benefits to nationals of these countries can still be strengthened during complaints. “Today`s agreements will go a long way in helping the United States and our Salvadoran partners combat illegal immigration and will strengthen the entire region as we approach the implementation of asylum cooperation agreements,” said Minister-in-Office McAleenan. “We are once again grateful for El Salvador`s leadership in the region and for the close coordination with the United States and DHS. Under President Bukele, El Salvador has proven to be a close and trustworthy ally of the United States. Over the years, our close geographic proximity, common principles and democratic values have led to a strong partnership, from managing historic migration flows to efforts to build a more stable and prosperous region. The extension is part of an agreement between the administration and the plaintiffs in related actions are not promises of protection, as complaints filter through the U.S.
justice system. The agreement provides that the two countries cooperate… The GST was due to expire for Salvadorans as early as January 2, 2020, but Monday`s agreements will push back that date. Salvadorans will have work permits valid until January 2, 2021, even though the courts support Trump`s attempt to end the program. Once the GST complaints are complete, Salvadoran GST recipients will have an additional year to return to their home countries. The current Minister of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, called the cooperation agreements a measure in the implementation of a new agreement between the United States and El Salvador.