THE REGION : Asylum Extended for Salvadorans

Immigration and Naturalization Service officials want to make sure that employers know that Salvadorans working under an asylum program have permission to work until Sept. 30.

The Deferred Enforced Departure program, which granted temporary asylum to Salvadorans, ended last month, said INS spokesman Rico Cabrera.

The program was canceled because the political and human rights situations in El Salvador have improved.

But Salvadorans with work authorization papers will not be required to leave the country for another nine months, Cabrera said.

Representatives of the INS and various community groups will publicize the extension to tell employers and the public that Salvadorans with the papers can continue to legally work, Cabrera said.

Employers who want more information can call (800) ELR-2099 to receive verification of the law, Cabrera said.

Salvadorans who feel they have been denied employment or wrongly fired because of their status may call the office of special counsel at (800) 255-7688 to file a complaint.