According to a recent Reuters article, President Trump announced that he was ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as an older program, Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), for certain immigrants from Liberia, a country in Western Africa. TPS and DED create a special legal immigration status that allow immigrants from countries experiencing civil unrest, widespread violence, or natural disaster to remain in the U.S. because it is too dangerous from them to return to their native countries. Essentially, the only difference between DED and TPS is that the President has the authority to extend DED, whereas the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has the authority to extend TPS.
TPS and DED have allowed many Liberian immigrants to live in the U.S. since 1991 as a result of civil wars and more since 2014’s Ebola virus outbreak. According to Trump, Liberia is no longer experiencing civil wars, has restored stability, has returned to democratic governance, has contained the Ebola virus outbreak, and has concluded reconstruction, meaning that Liberian immigrants can safely return to their native country. Therefore, Liberian nationals who have been living in the U.S. will no longer have TPS as of March 31, 2019.
Trump to End Special Status for Liberian Immigrants in America
Liberians are not the only group of immigrants who are seeing their TPS end. Earlier this year, the Trump administration ended TPS for about 200,000 Salvadorans. About 59,000 Haitians and 5,300 Nicaraguans will lose their TPS next year, and TPS for about 57,000 Hondurans will expire July 5, 2018. Some experts estimate that as many as 90,000 Liberians currently live in the U.S. For some, returning to Liberia is simply not feasible; Liberia is a country where they may have not lived for decades, as well a country with a weak economy and infrastructure.
If you are one of the many immigrants losing TPS, you may become subject to deportation if you fail to leave the country as directed. The immigration attorneys of Peek Law Group have the experience that you need when you are facing deportation charges. We will determine the facts and evidence that are relevant to your case, evaluate your options, and help you decide the best course of action for your situation. It is our goal to place you in the best position possible to achieve your goals. Contact our Texas immigration attorneys at our office today and learn how we can assist you and your family through this difficult situation.