Liberians living in the United States who fear deportation have hope. The Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians has been extended by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Giving people who are covered by the program extra time to remain in the country and look for a better life.

The DED was established in 2007 to act as a safe haven for Liberians whose legal status remained unclear after arriving in the US before 2002. The Liberian government has provided refuge and sanctuary for thousands of Liberians.

With today’s extension, people who are eligible for the program can now apply for legal permanent residences, giving them the option to stay in the United States permanently and follow their ambitions. Also, it gives them more certainty that their legal status will not lead to their deportation or other negative outcomes.

What is the Deferral of Enforced Departure?

The President of the United States has approved the immigration benefit known as the Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED). It permits residents of the US who meet certain requirements to do so for a predetermined amount of time, usually between particular dates.

The Department of Homeland Security extended the DED for Liberians through June 30, 2024. (DHS). The extension stipulates that Liberians with legal status who have lived in the United States continuously since November 20, 2014, or who were physically present in the country on that day, are exempt from deportation during this time and are qualified for job permission.

Over 4,000 Liberians who are now residing in the United States and would have been deported after October 1, 2020, thanks to the DED extension, now have significant protection and relief.

How does the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Extend the Deferral?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated it would extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians until June 30, 2024, in a letter dated June 24, 2020.

This is a crucial stage in the process of giving DED to Liberians who satisfy certain requirements, like having legally resided in the US since October 1, 2017. Liberians will no longer have to worry about being expelled, and this extension will give them the stability they desperately need after years of unrest and instability at home.

The DHS also released an order allowing those covered by this extension to work. Those who are granted protection under the program will have even more resources and opportunities for the economy thanks to this provision of employment permission. It also gives many Liberian families living in the US a sense of security and hope.

What does DHS’s Extension Mean for Liberians?

For many members of this vulnerable population, the DHS’s extension of the Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians provides a glimmer of optimism. Now, eligible Liberians can apply for work authorizations, find steady work, and explore possibilities in education, healthcare, and housing, all of which can lead to better futures.

Liberians with DED status who meet the qualifying standards outlined by DHS will be allowed job authorization till June 30th, 2022. It has been decided to postpone forced departure until June 30th, 2024. With this wider window of opportunity come new opportunities, allowing those affected by the instability in Liberia to secure their futures without worrying about being deported.

The reintroduction of the Deferral of Enforced Departure offers stability that can aid Liberians in starting a process of rebuilding after years of civil upheaval and displacement. Eligible Liberians now have a lot more options to live and work in America without fear or uncertainty thanks to a safe and secure pathway to legal residency in the country without an imminent threat of deportation.

Analysis of the Border Humanitarian Crisis

There is new hope for the 143,800 Liberians who are qualified for this status thanks to President Joe Biden’s recent decision to extend the Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) and employment permit until June 30, 2024.

The Memorandum on Extending and Increasing Eligibility for Delayed Enforced Departure for Liberians takes a holistic approach to the difficulties of migration from Liberia and offers ways to help ease the tremendous hardships faced by many immigrants. This includes

• Granting those affected a temporary reprieve from deportation and enabling them to apply for work permits
• Constructing a route to legal immigration
• Defending our economic interests by ensuring that individuals who are qualified may keep working and supporting our economy

The extension of the Deferral of Enforced Departure is a critical step in delivering security and stability to those affected by the humanitarian situation at the border. With this action, we can all look forward to a future that is more secure.

How are Businesses and Families Impacted?

The new extension of Liberians’ employment permission and Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) has a significant influence on not only people but also families and companies.

• For Individuals: Up until June 30, 2024, the DED and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are automatically extended. The extension is especially advantageous to Liberians with DED status because it enables them to lawfully work in the US. The DED for Liberia will now end on January 10, 2021, instead of October 10, 2020. This will provide additional protection in the event that any family members are not qualified for other immigration statuses and will give both individuals and families some time to get used to the new regulations.
  

• For Businesses: Companies in the impacted states gain from the extension since it allows them to keep key employees who already make a contribution to the community’s economy. Also, businesses can continue hiring Liberians without having to worry about shelling out expensive fees for hiring foreign personnel, such as visa applications or other labor charges. Also, companies may see an increase in client confidence as a result of knowing that their goods or services are being delivered by a dependable staff with a bright future.
  

How will these Extensions Benefit Affected Liberians?

Liberians gain immediate and long-term advantages from the extensions of Delayed Enforced Departure (DED) and Employment Authorization Certificates (EADs).

• Immediate Benefits: With the extended DED-related EADs, eligible Liberians can now work lawfully in the United States, affording them access to improved job possibilities and pay as well as a sense of security.
  

• Long-Term Benefits: Liberians can rest easy knowing that they can stay in the United States legally for this prolonged length of time because of the automatic extensions of DED and EADs until June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2024, respectively. This is crucial for folks who are beginning families or pursuing school at this crucial period in their life. So, affected Liberians can look forward to the future with confidence that their rights are protected.
  

Understanding the Temporary Protected Status Designation

In an effort to temporarily assist people in need, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted temporary protected status to a number of nations (TPS). Liberia is now one of the countries with the TPS classification.

For eligible Liberians and their qualified dependents, the extension of the Delayed Enforced Departure (DED) through June 2022 offers a brief reprieve. According to this expansion,

• Renewal of DED status through June 2022
• Extension of employment authorization through June 2022
• Providing temporary relief from removal to nationals of designated countries

Liberians are given optimism during these tumultuous times by the renewal and extension of the DED and employment authorization. People can now acquire the documentation they need to get jobs, housing, healthcare, and other crucial benefits without being afraid or intimidated. Liberians are experiencing a new hope to reduce displacement and crises.

What is the Future of TPS for Liberians?

Liberians now have employment authorization and a Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) until June 30, 2024, thanks to President Joe Biden. For many Liberians who cannot access alternative forms of relief in the United States, this prolonged term of protection is crucial. DED and work authorization, however, is only prolonged for Liberians with Temporary Protected Status until June 30, 2022. (TPS).

For the duration of the prolonged wind-down phase, which runs from October 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security has issued eligible Liberians Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that are valid for a period of two years. Those eligible for relief will be able to work in the country.

Due to the short duration of TPS and the lack of specific information on how the government intends to meet Liberians’ long-term needs, the future of TPS for Liberians is still questionable. More must be done to ensure Liberians’ long-term stability and legal protection.

Liberians now have renewed optimism thanks to the latest extension of Delayed Enforced Departure (DED). DHS is emphasizing humanitarian concerns and taking action to safeguard vulnerable persons by delivering a strong message. Although the extension only pertains to Liberians and not to people of other countries, this act of congressional compassionate policy represents a significant development in our border humanitarian issue. Liberians can continue to live, work, and contribute to their communities due to provisional protection.