Permanent resident status, or Green Card, will afford these Liberians, their families, and their communities the certainty, stability, and security that their temporary status has not provided. However, while this is a very hopeful development, it is not a “done deal” until the bill passes the Senate and is signed by President Donald Trump. According to the draft bill, DED holders will be eligible to apply for Green Cards if they have been living in the U.S. continuously since Nov. 20, 2014, and not been absent for more than a total of 180 days. The legislation would require the secretary of Homeland Security to create the process to regularize the Liberians’ status. In March, with only a few days before a deportation deadline for Liberians with DED, Trump gave them a one-year extension to remain in the U.S. the country until March 31, 2020.

Source: Daily Observer December 17, 2019 02:26 UTC