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ATTORNEY GENERAL DESIGNATES LIBERIA UNDER
WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Attorney General today announced the designation
of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Liberia. The designation
of TPS is effective from October 1, 2002 to October 1, 2003.
Liberians who have resided in the United States since September 29, 2001, have
remained here under a presidential directive authorizing Deferred Enforced
Departure (DED), a temporary measure similar to TPS. Under this new TPS
designation, eligible nationals of Liberia (or aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Liberia) may remain and work in the United
States for an additional year. There are approximately 15,000 to 20,000
nationals of Liberia who are eligible for registration.
Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Attorney
General to grant TPS to aliens in the United States who are nationals of
countries that are subject to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster,
or extraordinary and temporary conditions.
Based on a thorough review by the Department of State and Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS), the Attorney General has determined that there
is an ongoing armed conflict in Liberia. This conflict might seriously
threaten the personal safety of nationals returning to the country.
To be eligible for TPS under this designation, an alien:
·Must be a national of Liberia (or an alien having no nationality who last
habitually resided in Liberia);
·Will have been physically present and residing in the United States since
October 1, 2002;
·Be admissible as an immigrant except as provided under section 244(c)(2)(A)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(the Act), and not be ineligible for TPS under section 244(c)(2)(B) of the
Act; and,
·Apply for TPS within the registration period, which begins on October 1, 2002
and ends on March 31, 2003.
Because DED expires on September 29, 2002, Liberians who have no other lawful
status and who wish to live and work in the United States must apply for TPS.
During the registration period, applicants for TPS must submit the following
package to the INS District Office that has jurisdiction over place of
residence:
§Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status;
§Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization;
§Two identification photographs (1 ½ inches x 1 ½ inches);
§Supporting evidence of identity, nationality, and proof of residence, as
provided in the regulations at 8 CFR 244.9; and,
§All applicable fees.
A $50 fee must accompany each Form I-821. Each applicant who is 14 years of
age or older must also submit a $50 fingerprint fee. An applicant who seeks
employment authorization documentation must submit Form I-765 with the $120
fee. An applicant who does not seek employment authorization documentation
does not need to submit the $120 fee, but must still complete and submit Form
I-765 for data gathering purposes. Applicants may request that certain fees be
waived, in accordance with the regulations at 8 CFR 244.20.
While a complete TPS application package must include the $50 fingerprint fee
for every applicant who is 14 years of age or older, applicants should NOT
submit a completed fingerprint card (FD-258, Application Card) with the TPS
application package.
Upon receipt of the TPS application package, the INS will mail the applicant
an appointment letter with instructions to appear for fingerprinting at an
INS-authorized Application Support Center (ASC).
On September 29, 2002, the Liberian DED directive expires, as do all
employment authorization documents (EADs) issued to Liberians pursuant to that
directive. Liberians who have no other lawful immigration status, but who wish
to remain and work in the United States after September 29, 2002, should apply
for TPS benefits in the manner described below.
Certain Liberian nationals may be eligible to apply for TPS subsequent to the
initial registration period if, at the time of the initial registration
period, they:
·Are non-immigrants;
·Have been granted voluntary departure status or any relief
from removal;
·Have an application for change of status, adjustment of
status, asylum, voluntary departure, or any relief from
removal that is pending or subject to further review or
appeal;
·Are parolees or have a pending request for parole; or,
·Are the spouse or child of an alien currently eligible to be a
TPS registrant.
An applicant for late initial registration must register
within a 60-day period immediately following the expiration or termination of
one of the conditions described above.
Any national of Liberia who has applied for, or plans to apply for, any other
immigration benefit or protection, may also apply for TPS. An application for
TPS does not preclude or adversely affect an application for any other
immigration benefit. Similarly, denial of an application for asylum or any
other immigration benefit does not affect an alien's ability to register for
TPS, although the grounds of denial of that application may also lead to
denial of TPS. ### Share this page | Bookmark this page The leading immigration law publisher - over 50000 pages of free information!
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