FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OSC THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888 SALVADORANS' WORK AUTHORIZATION EXTENDED Documents valid through January 31, 1996 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Over 200,000 Salvadorans who fled their country during an extended civil war will be permitted to continue working in the United States, the Justice Department announced. This latest extension will give Salvadorans time to submit asylum applications asking to stay in the United States. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issued an automatic four-month extension of employment authorization for Salvadorans registered under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program. This work authorization, which was scheduled to expire on September 30, 1995, is now extended through January 31, 1996. Since the INS will not issue new documents, employers need to be aware that employment authorization documents (EADs) bearing an expiration date of December 31, 1994, are now valid until January 31, 1996. Employers must accept these documents when verifying employment eligibility. William Ho-Gonzalez, Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, noted that DED Salvadorans, like all other workers, do not have to present an INS-issued document to establish identity and work eligibility -- they may present any documents or combination of documents listed on the back of Form I-9 to establish identity and work eligibility. The law requires an employer to accept any documents that appear genuine, such as a driver's license or a social security card that does not contain the notation "Not Valid for Employment" or "Valid for Work Only with INS Authorization." Any employers or Salvadoran workers who have questions or problems related to the DED program and the current extension can call 1-800-255-7688 or TDD 1-800-237-2515. In the Washington, D.C. area, call 202-616-5594 or TDD 202-616-5525, or write: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices P.O. Box 27728 Washington, D.C. 20038-7728 # # # 95-469