<div><strong>On August 12, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security released an update announcing the termination of the El Salvador Temporary Protective Status (TPS) program. Any current El Salvador TPS recipients would lose any benefits that came with the program. El Salvador TPS recipients would no longer be able to work legally in the USA. Beneficiaries would have until September 9, 2026, to make a difficult decision, either leave the USA before September 9, 2026, or lose their protected status, employment authorization, and need to file for asylum based on their own individual case.</strong> In the interest of Emerson’s safety and hopeful, timely return to the USA, <strong>Emerson has decided to self-deport September 7, 2026. </strong>
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<div>In 2001, El Salvador was hit by a series of devastating earthquakes, killing over a thousand people, injuring thousands, many left missing, and leaving over a million people homeless or living in inadequate temporary housing. The USA granted TPS for El Salvador March 9, 2001. This allowed Emerson to benefit from the program and stay in the USA as a protected undocumented immigrant. Emerson would be able to have a social security number and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) allowing him to work in the USA. Since the program was created, there has been no pathway to citizenship for beneficiaries of TPS. Emerson arrived in the USA when he was 4 years old, he will be 30 this October.
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<div>Emerson is a great big brother. The reality that I will be losing someone that has taken care of me since day one hurts me immensely. Emerson has always been a role model, setting an example of what is possible when you dedicate your mind to achieving a dream. Having witnessed his struggles and how hard he worked, I know how well-deserved his accomplishments were. To have everything taken away by these circumstances seems completely unreal. Emerson also leaves behind three young siblings, ages 12, 9, and 7, who look up to him incredibly and will miss him more than words can say.
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<div>One thing that I admire the most about Emerson is how resilient and determined he is to reach his goals, no matter what the challenges. Emerson arrived in the USA when he was 4 years old. He did not know English and had not attended school in El Salvador. He was enrolled in kindergarten where he quickly learned that he didn’t know how to hold a pencil correctly.
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<div>For high school, Emerson attended Bound Brook High School where he would graduate 8th in his class. While attending BBHS, Emerson was a member of the Interact Club (a community service-based club), National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, ran varsity cross country, and was elected student council president. BBHS is also where Emerson’s love for chemistry began.
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<div>It was in high school that Emerson fell in love with perfumery. It was his junior year of high school, and Emerson took Mrs. Delacruz’s chemistry class. There he fell in love with chemistry and after sharing his interest in chemistry Mrs. Delacruz introduced Emerson to perfumery and the chemistry behind it. Emerson dreamt of attending perfumery school in France.
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<div>Unable to afford a four-year school, Emerson applied to his local community college and was accepted into the Honors College. During his time at RVCC, Emerson worked two part-time jobs to support himself and pay his term bill all while maintaining good academic standing and making Dean’s List. As a requirement of the Honors College, students must present a Capstone project to graduate. Emerson sought the help of his organic chemistry professor, Dr. Sarah Imbriglio, to be his advisor. They would work together to formulate a bath bomb and extract the essential oils from lavender, patchouli, and orange zest using different extraction techniques.
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<div>Emerson would graduate from RVCC receiving the Pathways Scholarship presented by George Case. The scholarship summed up to $28.5K and Emerson (accepted at Rutgers – New Brunswick) knew that he would be one step closer to covering the financial responsibility of a four-year school. Come graduation time, Emerson became the first person in our family to graduate from college. He was able to graduate with $0 in loans or debt.
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<div>After graduating from Rutgers in 2019, Emerson would soon find work at International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in 2021. He was starting to live his dreams. In 2024, Emerson began working for DSM-Firmenich, as a scientist in the Fine Fragrance Technical Development and Innovation team. Emerson was able to work with the perfumers responsible for Santal 33 by Le Labo, Black Opium by YSL, and Cloud by Ariana Grande.
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<div>Contributing to our campaign makes it possible for Emerson to find safe housing back in El Salvador. Currently, Emerson only knows his grandparents who live in a very small rural community. Emerson is a gay man and returning to El Salvador presents the challenge of being subjected to homophobia and discrimination. We’re currently exploring short-term and long-term housing for Emerson in San Salvador where the people are slightly more open minded.
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<div>Your contributions of $50, $100, or $200 go a very long way when supporting Emerson. El Salvador uses the US dollar as its currency so no exchange rate will be necessary. Contributing also provides access to transportation. Emerson is looking to get either an electric bike or electric scooter to navigate around San Salvador. Ubers are also a possibility. Notarizing Emerson’s degree and obtaining an Apostille to validate his degree in El Salvador may present itself with fees and possibly a waiting period before Emerson can apply to jobs. Emerson will also need to cover utilities (electricity, water, Wi-Fi, phone, etc.). In the long-term, we would like for Emerson to either explore returning to the USA or seeking a new future in a country where he can be openly gay and not fear harassment or death threats. I hope he can explore his dream of becoming a perfumer or returning to the perfumer industry.
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<div>The termination of El Salvador TPS is a great injustice to its recipients. Emerson is an upstanding model member of any community. To lose Emerson is a loss for the USA and the many community he’s a member of. Emerson will be leaving behind his family, his chosen family, his friends, and many loved ones.
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<div>We want to support Emerson during this time by preparing him for the smoothest transition possible to start a new life in El Salvador. Providing him with rent assistance, food security, access to transportation, and funds to cover any household expenses can set Emerson up for success. We want to show the community around us that, immigrants make America great, and the loss of Emerson’s presence in the USA will be felt by many. Emerson’s future success will be the greatest joy for us, his family. His success will also be a lesson to the USA to treat immigrants with humanity as their contribution to this beautiful country are felt by so many and are plentiful.
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Katy Ruderman

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Anonymous

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Help Emerson, Queer El Salvador TPS Recipient, Return Safely

Help Emerson, Queer El Salvador TPS Recipient, Return Safely

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