Ellison, Cicilline Applaud White House Extension of Temporary Status for Liberian Refugees

Press Release

Representatives Keith Ellison (D-MN) and David N. Cicilline (D-RI) today welcomed President Obama's decision to extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians living legally in the United States by 2 years. The current DED protection was set to expire on September 30, 2014, which could have sent thousands of Liberian refugees back to their home country where 3,200 Ebola virus cases have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"America's Liberian communities make tremendous contributions to our nation. We applaud President Obama's decision to extend Deferred Enforced Departure status for these members of our communities, especially at a time when the Ebola crisis is threatening the health and safety of Liberians and other West African nations. Liberians should not be forced to leave their jobs, creating hardships for themselves, their families and the employers who rely on them," said Ellison and Cicilline. "We will continue working with President Obama and our colleagues in Congress to give Liberian refugees who are playing by the rules a fair shot at permanent residency."

Earlier this week, the lawmakers sent a letter to President Obama calling for the extension of DED status and highlighting the ongoing threat posed by the Ebola virus. In the letter the lawmakers wrote: "The current Ebola crisis has greatly weakened the country's infrastructure and stability, and it would be imprudent to send individuals into this environment and to risk exposing them to this deadly disease." According to the CDC, if the Ebola virus is not contained it could potentially infect 1.4 million people in West Africa by the end of January 2015.

During the early 1990s thousands of Liberians fled a brutal civil war seeking refuge in the United States. Many of these refugees have raised children in American and become integral members of their local communities, contributing to the local economy and culture. Ellison and Cicilline have long championed efforts to prevent the deportation of Liberians living legally in the U.S. Ellison introduced the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act that would allow Liberians who were brought to the United States legally under temporary protection status classification to apply for permanent residency. Cicilline is an original cosponsor of this bill.

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