April 7, 2020: Federal Register Notice for postponement of Liberia DED termination date published

Last Updated

April 7, 2020

The White House announced on March 30, 2020, that the termination date for Deferred Enforced Departure, or DED, for Liberia is postponed. The new termination date is Jan. 10, 2021. The White House memorandum states that the extension is intended to prevent DED holders applying for Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness, or LRIF, from having gaps in work authorization. DED holders and other eligible Liberians may apply for LRIF until Dec. 20, 2020.

A Federal Register Notice automatically extending certain Liberian DED holder work authorization through Jan. 10, 2021, was published April 7, 2020.

DED extension eligibility:

Liberian nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since Oct. 1, 2002, and who held Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, on Sept. 30, 2007, are eligible for DED.

The DED extension does not apply to:

  • Individuals who are ineligible for TPS for reasons set forth in section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B));
  • Calibri;background:white;mso-highlight:white">Those who sought or seek LPR status under the LRIF provision but whose applications have been or are denied by the Secretary;

  • Individuals whose removal the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be in the interest of the United States;
  • Individuals whose presence or activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States;
  • Individuals who have voluntarily returned to Liberia or their country of last habitual residence outside the United States beyond the timeframe specified in subsection (c) of the LRIF provision;
  • Individuals who were deported, excluded, or removed before March 30, 2020; or
  • Individuals who are subject to extradition.

Work authorization:

  • Current Liberian DED Employment Authorization Documents, or EADs, with an expiration date of March 30, 2020, are automatically extended until Jan. 10, 2021, under this Federal Register Notice.
  • Current Liberian DED holders who wish to obtain a DED-based EAD with an expiration date of Jan. 10, 2021, on the card can file Form I-765 and pay related fees or apply for a fee waiver.
  • CLINIC strongly advises DED holders to speak with a qualified legal services provider prior to applying for a DED-based EAD to discuss and evaluate current processing times. 
  • DED holders eligible to apply for permanent resident status under LRIF may file Form I-765 with or after filing Form-1-485. CLINIC strongly advises DED holders to work with a qualified legal services provider when applying for LRIF.
  • More information about employment discrimination, I-9 verification, information about demonstrating the automatic extension at Departments of Motor Vehicles, and more can be found in the Federal Register Notice.
  • For problems with EADs/the automatic extension at work, the Department of Motor Vehicles or other public or private institutions, DED holders can call the Department of Justice Immigrant and Employee Rights Worker Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515) or visit justice.gov/crt/filing-charge

Recommendations for Liberian DED holders:

  1. DED holders should immediately consult a qualified legal services provider about their eligibility to adjust to permanent resident status under LRIF. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, DED holders should call legal services providers for more information about how to get legal help. Many offices and walk-in services are closed for in-person services. A list of qualified legal services providers can be found here.
  2. When seeking legal services, DED holders should beware of fraud. Learn more here.