Liberian Refugee Fairness Extension Act

Bill 117 HR 6233, also known as the Liberian Refugee Fairness Extension Act, is a piece of legislation that aims to extend the deadline for certain Liberian nationals to apply for permanent residency in the United States. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 22, 2021, by Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island.

The Liberian Refugee Fairness Act was originally passed in 2019 and provided a pathway to permanent residency for Liberian nationals who had been living in the United States for many years under temporary protected status (TPS) or deferred enforced departure (DED). These individuals were granted relief due to the civil war and Ebola crisis in Liberia.

The current legislation seeks to extend the deadline for eligible Liberian nationals to apply for permanent residency until December 20, 2023. This extension is crucial as many individuals may have faced challenges in meeting the original deadline due to various reasons such as lack of awareness, financial constraints, or other barriers. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers recognizing the contributions that Liberian nationals have made to their communities and the need to provide them with a pathway to permanent residency. Supporters of the bill argue that it is a matter of fairness and compassion to allow these individuals to remain in the United States and continue to contribute to society. Overall, the Liberian Refugee Fairness Extension Act is an important piece of legislation that seeks to provide relief to Liberian nationals who have been living in the United States under temporary protected status. By extending the deadline for these individuals to apply for permanent residency, the bill aims to ensure that they can continue to build their lives in the United States and contribute to their communities.