Bill would grant some Liberians permanent status and path to citizenship-MONDAY VOTE

Bill would grant some Liberians permanent status and path to citizenship

One organizer in Minnesota calls expected passage of the measure ‘a huge moment for this community’

Riham Feshir
December 13, 2019 10:51 a.m.

https://img.apmcdn.org/bb0cc4b096dd1...n-rally08.jpeg
Flags of the U.S. and Liberia flew at a rally to call for the extension of a program that gives thousands of Liberians legal status in the United States at the Capitol in St. Paul on March 26, 2018. A bill expected to pass the U.S. Senate next week would give holders of Deferred Enforced Departure a shot at permanent residency and a path to citizenship. Courtney Perry for MPR News 2018

A new bill expected to pass the U.S. Senate Monday would give some Liberian immigrants in Minnesota and across the country permanent residency and a path to citizenship.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders would be eligible to apply for permanent status under a provision in the widely supported National Defense Authorization Act.

Lawmakers called it a major victory for the Liberian community, which has established deep roots in Minnesota with an estimated population of 30,000. The population of DED holders nationwide is estimated at 4,000.

Original cosponsors of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act include both DFL senators from Minnesota, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar.

Smith called it a historic win and said she expects the bill will pass the Senate and be signed by President Trump.

“Immigration issues have been so politicized and it has made it so difficult to come to agreement,” Smith said. “So to have this issue today reach a bipartisan agreement, I think is really a tribute to the strong voices in the Liberian community and so many others who have fought hard to make sure that these members of our community have a chance to become a citizen.”

DED, which began as a Temporary Protected Status program, has given some Liberian immigrants who fled civil war the chance to live and work legally in the United States since the 1990s. It’s always been a temporary program that has been renewed under different administrations.

President Trump had intended to cancel it but decided earlier this year to extend it until March 2020.

Abdullah Kiatamba, executive director of the nonprofit African Immigrant Services, has been involved in efforts to find a permanent solution for DED holders. Kiatamba said the community has been contributing to the state’s economy and setting down roots in Minnesota. He said many people would be separated from U.S.-born children if they were to lose their DED status.

Kiatamba added that Liberia’s economy hasn’t recovered enough to take on more people and that America’s history with Liberia should be considered when deciding whether to allow them to stay in the country.

“Liberia was established as a state by free slaves from the United States, and this has not been highlighted,” he said. “The capital Monrovia is named after James Monroe, a U.S. president. All the major institutions are named after Americans. The schools are American curriculum.”

Kiatamba said the provision is the closest thing to reform for DED holders and that it has a strong chance of passing given that it’s included in the National Defense Authorization Act, it doesn’t cost anything, and that the criteria for qualifying are narrow.

According to the bill, DED holders are eligible to apply for permanent residency if they’ve been living in the United States continuously since Nov. 20, 2014, and not been absent for more than a total of 180 days. They would need to apply within one year of the bill becoming law.

Rules that would apply under the Immigration and Nationality Act would also apply under this provision, such as criminal history and crimes of “moral turpitude.”

“The progress in this bill will be the most significant progress in immigration campaign for Liberians that are on DED, ever,” Kiatamba said. “This is a huge moment for this community.”


https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/1...to-citizenship

Another amnesty bill. :roll:

Reed Includes NDAA Provision to Extend Permanent Residency Status for Eligible Liberians and Open a Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

Reed’s provision would allow eligible Liberians in the U.S. currently on the temporary immigration status of Deferred Enforced Status (DED) to apply for permanent residency and offer a pathway to citizenship

12/12/2019 — WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, included a major victory for the Liberian community in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 that will extend legal status for thousands of Liberians.

Senator Reed included a provision in the NDAA backed by Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) and the rest of the Rhode Island delegation, to allow eligible Liberians in the U.S. currently on the temporary immigration status of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to continue living legally in the U.S. and get on a pathway to earning U.S. citizenship. In order to be eligible to apply for permanent residency under the law, applicants must have been living in the U.S. continuously since November 20, 2014, not been absent for more than 180 days in aggregate, and be otherwise eligible and admissible for permanent residence.

The NDAA provision was based on S. 456, the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, which Senator Reed introduced in the U.S. Senate. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) introduced companion legislation (H.R.1169) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation is estimated to impact about 4,000 Liberians who have been legally living in the United States.

“After decades of uncertainty, this is a huge win for my Liberian brothers and sisters and a great day for America. This provision will adjust the status of Liberians on DED and those formerly on TPS to enable them to apply for permanent residency. Liberians who’ve legally lived here for years, paid taxes, and made so many positive contributions to their various communities, especially in Rhode Island, deserve the opportunity to get on a path to becoming full citizens. Everything they have in America they’ve earned through hard work and hard work should be rewarded,” said Senator Reed. “These individuals came to America seeking safety from devastating wars and disaster. They’ve made a home here, built their lives, and strengthened our communities. America is their home and they shouldn’t be evicted. Forcing them back to Liberia now would create real hardships both here and in Liberia. By extending their legal status, we are providing much needed certainty and a measure of security for individuals while helping foster Liberia’s post-war recovery.”

“I’m pleased that the House advanced this critical legislation,” said Congressman Cicilline. “Rhode Island is home to more Liberian nationals per capita than any other state in our country. I am proud to continue standing up for them and for all those who have found refuge and contributed to our society.”

The West African nation of Liberia, which was founded in 1822 by freed slaves from the United States, was plagued by civil war in the 1990s and more recently by a major Ebola outbreak. As part of its humanitarian response, the United States offered certain Liberians an opportunity to live, work, and pay taxes in the United States under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) systems, extended by both Republican and Democratic administrations beginning in 1991.

Last March, President Trump extended DED for qualified people from Liberia for one year, through March 31, 2020.

“Many Liberians are making important economic and civic contributions and should be allowed to stay. Some who were brought here as children have grown up and now have children of their own who are U.S. citizens. This bill will help provide much needed certainty and stability to families who were facing an uncertain future and possible deportation,” said Senator Reed, who originally introduced the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act in 1999 and has reintroduced the bill in every session of Congress since that time.

Original Senate cosponsors of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act include Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Cicilline’s companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives was originally cosponsored by Jim Langevin (RI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL).

Rhode Island has one of the largest populations of Liberians per capita, and Senator Reed has been working since 1999 to allow this community to legally remain in the United States. Many members of the Liberian community in the United States financially assist families and communities back in Liberia and make important contributions to Liberia’s reform and development. Liberia’s continuing recovery efforts could be reversed if these remittances end, harming the United States’ foreign policy interests in the region.

The NDAA was approved 377-48 by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday and is scheduled to be voted on Monday by the full U.S. Senate.

The language Reed included in the NDAA follows:

Liberian refugee immigration fairness (sec. 7611).

Summary: Section 7611 allow eligible Liberians to apply for permanent residency and provide them with a pathway to citizenship.

Details: Section 7611, provides for the adjustment in status from temporary protected status to legal permanent residence, for Liberian nationals and their spouses and children, if the applicant:

Submits an application within 1 year of enactment of this act, has been living in the U.S. continuously since November 20, 2014 and not absent for more than 180 in aggregate, and is otherwise eligible and admissible for permanent residence.

It would prohibit eligibility for anyone convicted of a violent crime, or an individual who has ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

It would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a process whereby applicants may seek a stay of deportation if they have filed an application for legal resident status and authorize the Secretary to allow individuals to work in the US while their application is being considered. It would mandate work authorization for anyone whose application has been pending for more than 180 days.

If granted, legal permanent residence would be approved as of the date of arrival in the United States.

https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/rel...us-citizenship

THOUSANDS OF THEM????

VETO THIS AND SEND THEM HOME!



TEMPORARY IS NOT TEMPORARY



THESE SWAMP RATS LIE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND WE FOOT THE BILL FOR IT.


SHUT THESE PROGRAMS DOWN!!!

Quote:

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Reed Includes NDAA Provision to Extend Permanent Residency Status for Eligible Liberians and Open a Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

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Considering the overwhelming support received in the U.S. House, I suspect it will sail through the U.S. Senate. Guess we'll now get to see if Trump will sign an amnesty bill.

Another Amnesty bill out of the blue on a holiday Monday???

2/6/2019

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Stop Mass Deportation of TPS Liberians from the U.S.

3/28/2019

Extending Liberian DED Is a Bad Idea

3/28/2019

Trump extends Liberians' DED protected immigration status by one year

I think the vote will now be on Tue.
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DECEMBER 16, 2019 / 3:32 PM / A MINUTE AGO

Senate advances massive defense policy bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Monday to advance a $738 billion defense policy bill, clearing the way for a vote on final passage on Tuesday, which will send it to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 76-6 on a procedural motion to cut off debate on the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.

The Democratic-led House approved the measure by 377-48 last week.

Because it is one of the few pieces of major legislation Congress passes every year, the NDAA becomes a vehicle for a range of policy measures as well as setting everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued.

This year’s legislation included a 3.1% pay increase for the troops, the first paid family leave for all federal workers and the creation of a Space Force, a top military priority for Trump.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-u...-idUSKBN1YK28K

Trump gets what he wants and the Democrats are getting something they want in return. This political move to slip amnesty in a defense policy bill is ridiculous.

Senate sends $738B defense bill to Trump's desk

BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 12/17/19 01:02 PM EST 489

The Senate passed a mammoth defense bill on Tuesday, sending it to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

Senators voted 86-8 to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation cleared the House last week.

The $738 billion bill — which authorizes spending and lays out policy guidelines for the Pentagon — includes a high-profile deal that grants federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave in exchange for creating Trump’s "Space Force."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) touted the measure ahead of the vote on Tuesday, noting it was the 59th year in a row that Congress has passed the defense bill.

“We’ll finally put this vital legislation on the president’s desk. I look forward to voting to pass the NDAA today by another overwhelming bipartisan vote for our service members and the critical missions they carry out,” McConnell said.

Creation of a Space Force was a top goal for the White House and Republicans. Under the final agreement, it would be housed under the Department of the Air Force and would be led by a chief of space operations who would become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff but report to the secretary of the Air Force.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) called it “the president’s big deal,” though he noted that he had “some reluctance at first” in supporting it.

“It will help protect space and ensure America’s dominance in this warfighting domain for years to come,” Inhofe said.

“China and Russia have their own space dominance ... and just the fact that we don’t have one is something that made people believe we didn’t have an interest in the Space Force.”

But the trade off for paid parental leave — and the large tab — earned the defense policy bill backlash from fiscal conservatives in the Senate.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) argued that the bill included “bad compromises” that had “nothing to do with the national defense.”

“The dirty little secret in Washington is that there’s actually too much compromise,” Paul said. “We’re going to have paid leave for everybody, but we’re going to borrow the money from China.”

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) also raised a point of order against the defense bill, arguing that it violated budget rules. Senators rejected his motion on Tuesday, and moved the bill toward a final vote.

“Unfortunately CBO tell us that this bill will significantly add to our debt in the near and long term,” Enzi, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, said on Tuesday, referring to the Congressional Budget Office.

Despite opposition from a handful of senators and kvetches with some provisions within the bill, the NDAA was widely expected to pass. It overcame a procedural hurdle on Monday night in a 76-6 vote.

Trump has pledged that he will sign the legislation “immediately” once it reaches his desk.

“Wow! All of our priorities have made it into the final NDAA: Pay Raise for our Troops, Rebuilding our Military, Paid Parental Leave, Border Security, and Space Force! Congress – don’t delay this anymore!” he tweeted last week.

The bill was caught for months in negotiations between House and Senate lawmakers, raising the prospect that Congress might not be able to pass the defense legislation for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Inhofe, as a backup, had introduced a “skinny” NDAA, though it likely would not have been able to pass the House.

The major sticking point was provisions related to Trump’s border wall. Ultimately, negotiators decided to leave out wall-related provisions, kicking the issue to the separate appropriations process.

Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.), the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, noted that there were “many difficult issues” to be worked out, but touted the legislation as a good deal.

“It is the art of compromise,” he added.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4...b-defense-bill

More info @

Senate approves path to citizenship for DED Liberians facing deportation

THEY HAD BETTER BE ENFORCING PUBLIC CHARGE RULES

Not a peep from Trump on the Liberian amnesty included in the bill! I'm not in the least bit surprised, is anyone else?

Related:

Citizenship for 4,000 Liberian illegal aliens … snuck into a 3,430-page defense bill

https://www.alipac.us/f12/citizenship-4-000-liberian-illegal-aliens-%85-snuck-into-3-430-page-defens-376317/