Monrovia – Liberian President George Manneh Weah has expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, the Government and people of the United States for the opportunity granted Liberians on the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), to stay in the U.S. for another year.
The appreciation comes just a day after President Trump directing the US Departments of State and Homeland Security to bring an end to a humanitarian program that allowed for some Liberian nationals to have temporary residence in the United States.
The grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians who would otherwise be removed from the U.S. was last extended by President Obama. However, it was due to expire on March 31.
Mr. Trump is ordering that the deadline be extended for one more year as part of a “wind-down” effort before DED is official terminated for Liberian nationals.
In a memo signed by Mr. Trump, the administration now finds that conditions in Liberia have improved and is “no longer experiencing armed conflict and has made significant progress in restoring stability and democratic governance.”
The memo added, “Liberia has also concluded reconstruction from prior conflicts, which has contributed significantly to an environment that is able to handle adequately the return of its nationals.”
The DED started in 1991 in part through a grant of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), certain Liberian nationals were eligible for DED, which allowed them to flee their country as a result of armed conflict and civil war and reside in the United States.
In 1999, the Clinton administration first authorized DED for a 1-year period after a civil war had ended. According to the White House, after the armed conflict came to a close in 2003, TPS for Liberians effectively ended in 2007, but President Bush then directed that DED be provided for 18 months to certain Liberians in the U.S. whose TPS was due to expire. Bush further directed Homeland Security to issue procedures for granting work authorization to DED-covered Liberians.
Under the Obama administration, DED was extended several times including 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016 due to “compelling foreign policy reasons.”
On Thursday, the Liberian leader also commended the United States Embassy accredited near Monrovia, headed by Ambassador Christine Elder, for the role played in making the process a success.
According to President Weah, the decision to allow Liberians on DED live in the U.S. until March 2019, has brought a great deal of relief, not only to them as direct beneficiaries, but their families and friends back home; and it serves as a testament of the longstanding partnership between Liberia and the United States.
President Weah expressed hope that the concerned Liberians will utilize the extension of the DED to contribute to the American society in the most positive way and continue to be law-abiding residents.
The Liberian leader said the gesture clearly speaks to the U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the bond of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
It may be recalled that President Trump recently directed the Departments of State and Homeland Security to bring an end to a humanitarian program that has allowed some Liberian nationals to have temporary residence in the United States.
The grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians who would otherwise be returned from the U.S. was last extended by President Obama.
However, it was due to expire on March 31, 2018. President Trump had ordered that the deadline be extended for one more year as part of a “wind-down” effort before DED is officially terminated for Liberian nationals.