Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up

Press Release

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Just as I would consider myself a "common-sense conservative," Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) identifies himself as a "principled liberal" and casts his votes in the House accordingly.

With these labels in mind, you might imagine the surprise many of my colleagues expressed when I participated in a press conference this week to unveil legislation loosely known as the "Kennedy, Walberg, Ellison Bill."

The bi-partisan bill, introduced by Rep. Kennedy, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and myself, would allow Liberians in the United States on Temporary Protected Status the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residency Status.

The Liberian Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 2007 addresses an urgent situation faced by Liberian refugees who have legally come to America (many over a decade ago), established careers, bought homes, raised American-born children and become valued members of their communities.

Currently, all Liberian refugees living in the United States under Temporary Protective Status have until October of this year, and then they will be forced to return to Liberia.

My wife Sue and I have a unique personal story which led us to become involved in this issue.

For almost a year, we had a Liberian refugee stay in our home. This gentleman came from dire circumstances in Liberia, as his wife was brutally assaulted and he was beaten and forced to leave his country. He still has scars from when he was beaten with the blunt end of a rifle.

During the time our friend lived in our home, we developed an appreciation for his culture and were deeply moved by his commitment to his family and his homeland. He pursued higher education and worked several jobs so he could send financial assistance back to Liberia.

Just as Sue and I found with our Liberian friend, America has a special relationship with Liberia. The country was founded as Africa's first republic in 1821 by former American slaves, and Liberia's capital city, Monrovia, is named after American President James Monroe.

Liberia suffered greatly in recent years, and the nation has been torn apart by two long Civil Wars over the past two decades, but Liberia has made great strides in its recovery.

One of the unintended consequences of the Temporary Protected Status is it didn't foresee that civil wars would continue in Liberia for several years, leaving refugees in America stuck in a state of flux.

Many of the Liberians in America on Temporary Protected Status have now resided here legally for over seventeen years.

These men and women could not return to their home countries because of the danger involved, but they also never had the opportunity to become American citizens.

It is time for Congress to end their political limbo and allow these Liberian-Americans to continue in the communities where their children have grown up.

It won't be often that Patrick Kennedy and I reach a consensus on an issue, but I am proud to work with the Rhode Island Congressman to help Liberian refugees who left their war torn homeland to escape death and pursue the American dream.

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