House passes Kennedy’s bill extending Liberian refugees temporary protection status
WASHINGTON –On July 30, 2007, the United States House of
Representatives passed bipartisan legislation H.R. 3123, sponsored by Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, extending Liberians’ Temporary Protected Status until at least September 30, 2008. Kennedy has authored and sponsored legislation regarding the citizenship status and opportunities of Liberian-Americans every year since 1998, and has tirelessly advocated for its passage.
“Thousands of Liberians who live in Rhode Island and America have rebuilt their lives here, have contributed to their communities, and have raised American-born children,” said Congressman Patrick Kennedy. “Furthermore, from within the United States, they are in a much stronger position to not only continue their contributions to American society, but at the same time, they can also continue to play a pivotal role in furthering Liberia’s recovery from years of strife and turmoil.”
Advocates of this legislation include bipartisan Members of Congress, as well as, Charles A. Minor, Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who explains, “For those unable to come back home now, we must appeal to you to grant them continuing protection status, and residency where appropriate, to put them in a condition to contribute to their country’s reform and development.”
Currently, 3600 Liberian refugees living in the United States have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until October of this year, when it is due to expire. Thousands of Liberians –– including the estimated 7,000 to 15,000 who live in Rhode Island (the largest concentration of Liberians per capita in the U.S.) –– have resided here in the United States since the outbreak of civil war in the African nation in March 1991, with many already achieving legal citizenship.
“This bill is about fundamental fairness. This bill is about keeping hard-working families together. This is a bill that strengthens our foreign policy. It would be unfair for families who have lived in the United States for over 10 years serving in all facets of society, from nurses and doctors to Marines and NFL Players, to face deportation to a country that is not yet ready for their return,” said Kennedy.