House to Consider Walberg Kennedy Legislation to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Liberian Refugees

Press Release

HOUSE TO CONSIDER WALBERG KENNEDY LEGISLATION TO EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR LIBERIAN REFUGEES

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today issued the following statement in support of legislation he introduced along with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) that would extend by one year Temporary Protective Status for all Liberian refugees living in the United States.

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.

"Liberia has been torn apart by two long Civil Wars over the past two decades, and while civil war finally ceased in 2003, Liberia is still years from developing the infrastructure needed for Liberian refugees to return," Walberg said.
"Some of the estimated 3,600 Liberian refugees who are here legally in the United States came to our country when civil war broke out in Liberia in 1991, and they are now raising children born in America. The United States government must allow these law-abiding, hard-working Liberian refugees the chance to not only continue contributing to American society, but also to continue playing a pivotal role in furthering Liberia's recovery from years of strife and turmoil."

Congressman Walberg and Congressman Kennedy have also introduced The Liberian Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 2007, legislation that would allow Liberians in the United States on Temporary Protected Status the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residency Status.

"Many of the Liberians in America on Temporary Protected Status have now resided here legally for over a decade. 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, and it is time to give them that opportunity," Walberg said.

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