Protected status for Liberians is set to end March 31, 2019

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led the Minnesota Congressional delegation in a letter to President Trump asking him to extend protected status for Liberians in the United States, allowing recipients to remain in the country legally and receive work authorization. Liberians were first granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush in response to the country’s civil war. In 2006, President George W. Bush granted Liberians Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED), which has been extended by presidents of both parties ever since. Last year, President Trump announced that he would terminate DED for all Liberian beneficiaries effective March 31, 2019, prompting the members to urge him to extend DED status for Liberians like presidents before him.

The letter was also signed by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN).

“Our state of Minnesota has one of the largest Liberian populations in the country. Many have lived in our state for decades as business owners, teachers, and health care workers. They have contributed to the cultural and economic strength of our state,” the members wrote. “Forcing Liberians to return to an unstable country will not only risk their safety, but will also separate families, harm communities, and disrupt local economies. It is for this reason that we ask you to extend the DED protections for Liberians now in effect before they expire at the end of March.”

In the Senate, Klobuchar and Smith are cosponsors of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act which would allow eligible Liberians to apply for permanent residency and provide them with a pathway to citizenship.

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear President Trump:

Last March, you granted an extension of the Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) status for Liberians, but only for a twelve-month “wind-down” period, after which time you indicated that you would terminate DED for all Liberian beneficiaries effective March 31, 2019. We write to ask that you reconsider and extend DED status for Liberians.

Liberians have had protected status in the United States since President George H.W. Bush first approved Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Liberia in response to its civil war in 1991. That status was extended under presidents from both parties until it expired in 2006, at which time President George W. Bush granted DED protections to Liberians. Since 2007, DED has been extended by presidents of both parties, allowing recipients to remain in the United States legally and receive work authorization.

Our state of Minnesota has one of the largest Liberian populations in the country. Many have lived in our state for decades as business owners, teachers, and health care workers. They have contributed to the cultural and economic strength of our state. Forcing Liberians to return to an unstable country will not only risk their safety, but will also separate families, harm communities, and disrupt local economies. It is for this reason that we ask you to extend the DED protections for Liberians now in effect before they expire at the end of March.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this important issue.

Sincerely,

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