Memorandum on Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians, 13064 [2019-06576]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 13064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06576]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services


Memorandum on Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for 
Liberians

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department 
of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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    A ``Memorandum on Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for 
Liberians'' was issued by the President on March 28, 2019. The 
memorandum extends the wind-down period for Liberian Deferred Enforced 
Departure beneficiaries by an additional 12 months, through March 30, 
2020. The President authorized and directed the Secretary of Homeland 
Security to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. The text 
of the memorandum is set out below.

L. Francis Cissna,
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Memorandum on Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians

    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:
    (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.

DONALD J. TRUMP

[FR Doc. 2019-06576 Filed 4-1-19; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 9111-97-P