Introduction

FIRST ON FOX: Newly sworn-in Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, has marked his entry into the Senate with a pointed inquiry directed at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Moreno’s first letter as a senator reflects his concerns about the recent extensions of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for foreign nationals hailing from countries facing diverse crises, including El Salvador, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan.

Concerns Over TPS Extensions

In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Moreno expressed his “sincere concerns” regarding the 18-month extensions that now allow nearly a million foreign nationals to remain in the United States until at least the fall of 2026. The extensions permit individuals from these nations to stay in the U.S., even though their TPS designations were originally slated to expire sooner.

Moreno did not hold back in his criticism of the policy shift, stating, “These decisions were shamefully made by an outgoing administration ten days before President Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office.” He emphasized that the recent election results indicated a clear rejection of the Biden-Harris administration’s “open-border policy,” claiming that the administration continues to ignore the will of the American populace.

DHS Announcement and Justifications

On the same day as Moreno’s letter, DHS announced the extensions of TPS for El Salvador, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan, citing various conditions that rendered them unsafe to return. This designation grants protection from deportation and permits work for nationals from countries deemed unstable.

The DHS pointed to a combination of environmental disasters in El Salvador, including destructive storms, along with ongoing political and economic turmoil in Venezuela and Sudan, as well as the conflict in Ukraine. The department noted that the extensions would encompass approximately 600,000 Venezuelan nationals, 234,000 from El Salvador, 103,000 individuals from Ukraine, and around 1,900 from Sudan.

Despite the rationale provided by DHS, Moreno expressed skepticism, questioning the department’s justification for the TPS extension based on environmental conditions. He specifically referred to current weather conditions in El Salvador, pointing out that it was “mostly sunny” and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, challenging the assertion that severe disruptions warrant an extension.

Political Ramifications and Future Applications

These movements by DHS complicate efforts by the Trump administration to manage immigration from these countries, particularly Venezuela, where issues related to gang violence have gained attention. The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has emerged as a significant concern, while El Salvador is infamous for the notorious MS-13 gang.

In his critical letter, Moreno demanded answers to several pressing questions, including the number of known MS-13 members residing in the United States and how many noncitizens associated with the gang have benefited from the TPS designation. He also requested detailed data regarding the geological and weather events cited as justification for the TPS extensions, as well as information on the vetting processes for these individuals.

Government Response and Future Considerations

A spokesperson from DHS responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital, asserting that the department would continue to respond to Congressional oversight through appropriate channels. The spokesperson reiterated that a series of recent earthquakes in El Salvador contributed to the decision to extend TPS for nationals from the country, adding that “enhanced screening measures” are in place to identify individuals associated with gang activity.

While the White House did not provide a comment in response to requests for clarification, the discussion around these extensions has opened debates on immigration policy within the political arena. The prior Trump administration aimed to reduce TPS designations, whereas the Biden administration has utilized the status more broadly to help nationals from various countries facing crises.

As both President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have hinted at plans to restrict TPS designations—specifically for Haiti—future immigration policy remains a key topic of contention in American politics.