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Salvadorans protest termination of temporary protected status

  • <p>A young girl looks on as other immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
    1/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    A young girl looks on as other immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Demonstrators hold signs protesting the termination of Salvadorans’ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in front of the White House in Washington, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) </p>
    2/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    Demonstrators hold signs protesting the termination of Salvadorans’ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in front of the White House in Washington, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

  • <p>El Salvador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugo Martinez and the U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes participate in a joint news conference about the cancelation of Temporary Protected Status for about 200,000 Salvadorans in the U.S., in San Salvador, El Salvador. Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Jose Cabezas/Reuters) </p>
    3/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    El Salvador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugo Martinez and the U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes participate in a joint news conference about the cancelation of Temporary Protected Status for about 200,000 Salvadorans in the U.S., in San Salvador, El Salvador. Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Jose Cabezas/Reuters)

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
    4/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>El Salvador immigrants Diana Paredes, left, and Isabel Barrera, react at a news conference following an announcement on Temporary Protected Status for nationals of El Salvador, in Los Angeles, Monday Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP) </p>
    5/19

    Salvadorans protest in Los Angeles

    El Salvador immigrants Diana Paredes, left, and Isabel Barrera, react at a news conference following an announcement on Temporary Protected Status for nationals of El Salvador, in Los Angeles, Monday Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP)

  • <p>Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
    6/19

    Salvadorans protest termination of temporary protected status

    Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Mateo Barrera, 4 originally from El Salvador, whose family members benefit from Temporary Protected Status attend a news conference in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP) </p>
    7/19

    Salvadorans protest in Los Angeles

    Mateo Barrera, 4 originally from El Salvador, whose family members benefit from Temporary Protected Status attend a news conference in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP)

  • <p>Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
    8/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea holds up hand-made signs as she joins CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, during rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) </p>
    9/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea holds up hand-made signs as she joins CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, during rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, holds a rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) </p>
    10/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, holds a rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

  • <p>Salvadoran immigrant Mirna Portillo watches on during a media conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City,Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
    11/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    Salvadoran immigrant Mirna Portillo watches on during a media conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City,Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

  • <p>Celina Benitez, who was born in El Salvador and migrated with my family to the U.S. as a young child and is now a U.S. Citizen, speaks during a rally held by CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) </p>
    12/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    Celina Benitez, who was born in El Salvador and migrated with my family to the U.S. as a young child and is now a U.S. Citizen, speaks during a rally held by CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>U.S. citizen Benjamin Zepeda, 14, with his mother Lorena Zepeda, who benefits from Temporary Protected Status have their photo taken after a news conference in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP) </p>
    13/19

    Salvadorans protest in Los Angeles

    U.S. citizen Benjamin Zepeda, 14, with his mother Lorena Zepeda, who benefits from Temporary Protected Status have their photo taken after a news conference in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP)

  • <p>Salvadoran immigrant Minda Hernandez watches on during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
    14/19

    Salvadorans protest in New York City

    Salvadoran immigrant Minda Hernandez watches on during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

  • <p>Salvadoran immigrant Hugo Rodriguez speaks during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
    15/19

    Salvadorans protest in New York City

    Salvadoran immigrant Hugo Rodriguez speaks during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Salvadoran immigrants prepare to exit after a media conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
    16/19

    Salvadorans protest in New York City

    Salvadoran immigrants prepare to exit after a media conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

  • <p>Salvadoran immigrants Mirna Portillo and Rosa Romero wait for an elevator after a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
    17/19

    Salvadorans protest in New York City

    Salvadoran immigrants Mirna Portillo and Rosa Romero wait for an elevator after a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

  • <p>People gather during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
    18/19

    Salvadorans protest in New York City

    People gather during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>A woman clutches a US national flag as other immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
    19/19

    Salvadorans protest in Washington

    A woman clutches a US national flag as other immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

<p>A young girl looks on as other immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Demonstrators hold signs protesting the termination of Salvadorans’ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in front of the White House in Washington, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) </p>
<p>El Salvador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugo Martinez and the U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes participate in a joint news conference about the cancelation of Temporary Protected Status for about 200,000 Salvadorans in the U.S., in San Salvador, El Salvador. Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Jose Cabezas/Reuters) </p>
<p>Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>El Salvador immigrants Diana Paredes, left, and Isabel Barrera, react at a news conference following an announcement on Temporary Protected Status for nationals of El Salvador, in Los Angeles, Monday Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP) </p>
<p>Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Mateo Barrera, 4 originally from El Salvador, whose family members benefit from Temporary Protected Status attend a news conference in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP) </p>
<p>Immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea holds up hand-made signs as she joins CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, during rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) </p>
<p>CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, holds a rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) </p>
<p>Salvadoran immigrant Mirna Portillo watches on during a media conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City,Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
<p>Celina Benitez, who was born in El Salvador and migrated with my family to the U.S. as a young child and is now a U.S. Citizen, speaks during a rally held by CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) </p>
<p>U.S. citizen Benjamin Zepeda, 14, with his mother Lorena Zepeda, who benefits from Temporary Protected Status have their photo taken after a news conference in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP) </p>
<p>Salvadoran immigrant Minda Hernandez watches on during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
<p>Salvadoran immigrant Hugo Rodriguez speaks during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
<p>Salvadoran immigrants prepare to exit after a media conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
<p>Salvadoran immigrants Mirna Portillo and Rosa Romero wait for an elevator after a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
<p>People gather during a news conference at the New York Immigration Coalition following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran immigrants in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) </p>
<p>A woman clutches a US national flag as other immigrants and activists protest near the White House to demand that the Department of Homeland Security extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 195,000 Salvadorans on Jan. 8, 2018 in Washington. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
Yahoo News Photo Staff

The Trump administration’s decision to end special protections for about 200,0000 Salvadoran immigrants raises the possibility they will be forced to abandon their roots in the U.S. and return to a violent homeland they have not known for years, even decades.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen gave Salvadorans with temporary protected status until Sept. 9, 2019, to leave the United States or face deportation. El Salvador becomes the fourth country since President Donald Trump took office to lose protection under the program, which provides humanitarian relief for people whose countries are hit with natural disasters or other strife.

The decision, while not surprising, is a severe blow to Salvadorans in New York, Houston, San Francisco and other major cities that have welcomed them since at least the 1980s. (AP)

Immigrants and activists protested the decision.

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