Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians, 12867-12868 [2019-06556]

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• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 12867-12868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06556]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 63 / Tuesday, April 2, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 12867]]


                Memorandum of March 28, 2019

                
Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for 
                Liberians

                Memorandum for the Secretary of State [and] the 
                Secretary of Homeland Security

                Since March 1991, certain Liberian nationals and 
                persons without nationality who last habitually resided 
                in Liberia (collectively, ``Liberians'') have been 
                eligible for either Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or 
                Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), allowing them to 
                remain in the United States despite being otherwise 
                removable.

                In a memorandum dated March 27, 2018, I determined 
                that, although conditions in Liberia had improved and 
                did not warrant a further extension of DED, the foreign 
                policy interests of the United States warranted 
                affording an orderly transition (``wind-down'') period 
                to Liberian DED beneficiaries. At that time, I 
                determined that a 12-month wind-down period was 
                appropriate; that wind-down period expires on March 31, 
                2019.

                Upon further reflection and review, I have decided that 
                it is in the foreign policy interest of the United 
                States to extend the wind-down period for an additional 
                12 months, through March 30, 2020. The overall 
                situation in West Africa remains concerning, and 
                Liberia is an important regional partner for the United 
                States. The reintegration of DED beneficiaries into 
                Liberian civil and political life will be a complex 
                task, and an unsuccessful transition could strain 
                United States-Liberian relations and undermine 
                Liberia's post-civil war strides toward democracy and 
                political stability. Further, I understand that there 
                are efforts underway by Members of Congress to provide 
                relief for the small population of Liberian DED 
                beneficiaries who remain in the United States. 
                Extending the wind-down period will preserve the status 
                quo while the Congress considers remedial legislation.

                The relationship between the United States and Liberia 
                is unique. Former African-American slaves were among 
                those who founded the modern state of Liberia in 1847. 
                Since that time, the United States has sought to honor, 
                through a strong bilateral diplomatic partnership, the 
                sacrifices of individuals who were determined to build 
                a modern democracy in Africa with representative 
                political institutions similar to those of the United 
                States.

                Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the 
                foreign relations of the United States, I hereby direct 
                the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate 
                measures to accomplish the following:

(1) The termination of DED for all Liberian beneficiaries effective March 
31, 2020;

(2) A continuation of the wind-down period through March 30, 2020, during 
which current Liberian DED beneficiaries who satisfy the description below 
may remain in the United States; and

(3) As part of that wind-down, continued authorization for employment 
through March 30, 2020, for current Liberian DED beneficiaries who satisfy 
the description below.

                The 12-month wind-down period and 12-month continued 
                authorization for employment shall apply to any current 
                Liberian DED beneficiary who has continuously resided 
                in the United States since October 1, 2002, but shall 
                not apply to Liberians in the following categories:

[[Page 12868]]

(1) Individuals who are ineligible for TPS for reasons set forth in section 
244(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1254a(c)(2)(B));

(2) Individuals whose removal the Secretary of Homeland Security determines 
to be in the interest of the United States;

(3) Individuals whose presence or activities in the United States the 
Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially 
serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States;

(4) Individuals who have voluntarily returned to Liberia or their country 
of last habitual residence outside the United States;

(5) Individuals who were deported, excluded, or removed before the date of 
this memorandum; or

(6) Individuals who are subject to extradition.

                The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized and 
                directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal 
                Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, March 28, 2019

[FR Doc. 2019-06556
Filed 4-1-19; 11:15 am]
Billing code 4410-10-P