Newly elected Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) has wasted no time in challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding its recent extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of El Salvador, Venezuela, Sudan, and Ukraine. In his first official letter as a senator, Moreno directly addressed DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, expressing "sincere concerns" over the 18-month extensions, which allow these individuals to remain in the U.S. until Fall 2026.

Moreno criticized the Biden administration's decision, made just days before the presidential inauguration, as disregarding the "will of the majority of voters" who rejected open-border policies. He questioned the justifications provided by DHS, particularly citing the agency's rationale for extending TPS for Salvadorans due to "geological and weather events" while pointing out the current pleasant weather conditions in San Salvador.

The senator also expressed concern about the potential impact of these extensions on efforts to address gang violence, particularly from groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. He demanded answers from Mayorkas on the number of known gang members from these groups in the U.S., how many have benefited from TPS, and the vetting processes in place to prevent criminal activity by TPS recipients.

The DHS responded by stating it addresses Congressional inquiries through official channels and will continue to respond appropriately to oversight. The agency cited earthquakes in El Salvador as contributing to the extension for that nation and emphasized its "enhanced screening measures" to identify gang members.

These extensions affect a substantial number of individuals: approximately 600,000 Venezuelans, 232,000 Salvadorans, 103,000 Ukrainians, and 1,900 Sudanese nationals. The extensions for Venezuela and El Salvador will run until October and September 2026, respectively.

The move is likely to complicate the incoming Trump administration's plans regarding immigration enforcement, particularly concerning deportations. Both President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have expressed their intention to curtail the use of TPS, specifically mentioning Haiti. Currently, 17 countries have TPS designations.