This Toolkit has been developed to support Liberian communities and their allies as they advocate for permanent resident status legislation and to help policy makers understand the need for Liberian immigration legislation. 

Legislation

S. 656 Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (2011)

H.R. 1293 Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (2011)

Backgrounders

Liberia Is Not Ready 2010: A Report of Country Conditions in Liberia and Reasons Why the United States Should Extend Deferred Enforced Departure (February 2010)

A House with Two Rooms: Final Report of the Truth and Reconcilation Commission of Liberia Diaspora Project (2009)

Mobilize for Liberia: The Coalition for Permanent Residency

The Need: Liberian Immigration Legislation

The Facts: Temporary Protected Status for Liberians

Liberia Is Not Ready: A Human Rights Report (2007)

Ethnic Capital and Minnesota's Future: People of Liberian Origin in Minnesota (Nov. 16, 2008)

Letters to Leaders

June 2011 Letter from Members of the United States Senate calling upon President Obama for extension of DED.

June 2011 Letter to President Obama from NGOs around the United States calling for a 2-yeara extension of DED.

February 2010 Letter from U.S. Members of the House of Representatives calling upon President Obama for extension of DED.

February 2010 Letter to President Obama from NGOs around the U.S. calling for 18-month extension of DED.

February 12, 2010 Philadelphia City Council resolution calling upon President Obama to extend DED for 18 months.

March 2009 letter from U.S. Senators calling upon President Obama for extension of DED.

March 6, 2009 One Minute Speech by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) on the Floor of the House of Representatives calling for the extension of DED.

Feb. 4, 2009 Letter from Rep. Erik Paulsen to President Obama calling for extension of DED.

January 2009 Letter from NGOs to President Obama calling for the immediate extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians.

December 2008 Letters from Congress to President Bush and President-Elect Obama urging extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians.

Letter from Jewish community leaders and organizations supporting permanent resident status for Liberians.

Robbinsdale, MN City Council Resolution in support of permanent resident status for Liberians.

Media Reports

New York Times: Liberians in New York 'Jubilant' at Expulsion Reprieve (Mar. 21, 2009)

Maya Angelou speaks about Liberia and TPS (March 2009)

Change.org: Blog: Expelling Liberians Is Not the Answer (Mar. 18, 2009)

Sojourners: Blog: Liberian Deportation Threat One More Reason for Immigration Reform (Mar. 18, 2009)

Associated Press: For Liberians in US, a frightening waiting game (Mar. 15, 2009)

St. Paul Pioneer Press: As Clock Winds Down, Liberians in Minnesota Wait and Pray (Mar. 15, 2009)

Catholic Spirit: Catholics Rally in Support of Liberian Immigrants (Mar. 12, 2009)

Star Tribune Editorial: Grant Liberians a Path to Citizenship (Mar. 11, 2009)

MPR: Klobuchar seeks reprieve for Liberians (Mar. 8, 2009)

Star Tribune: This time, will Liberians in Minnesota be forced to leave? (Mar. 2, 2009)

Change.org: Blog: Liberians in United States Face Deportation Deadline (Feb. 21, 2009)

MinnPost: Liberians in Minnesota Face Deportation (Feb. 16, 2009)

All Africa.com: Liberia: Government Engages U.S.  Administration on Status of Citizens Facing Deportation (Feb. 12, 2009)

CNN: Liberians Facing Mass Deportation from US (Feb. 9, 2009)

Minnesota Public Radio: Liberians Hope for Reprieve (Jan. 12, 2009)

Washington Post: Fearful Liberians Face U.S. Deadline for Deportation (July 16, 2007)

National Public Radio: Thousands of Liberians in U.S. Face Deportation (Nov. 28, 2006)