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Liberians in US Face Deportation
Thousands of Liberians living in the United States face deportation at the end of next month. This follows the expiry of the temporary immigration status granted to 14,000 Liberians who fled the civil war in the 1990s. The US government extended their temporary protection status during Charles Taylor’s dictatorship in Liberia. But after he was toppled in 2006, and a new government installed the following year, they were given 18 months to return home. Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island, which has a large Liberian community, said many of them have become an important part of the community and should be allowed to stay. But Dan Stein, president of an NGO for immigration reform, said it is time for them to go back and rebuild their country. – Panos, London.
Watch related CNN video footage on the story »
Muti This
jules lewis | Feb 11, 2009 | Reply
I understand getting adjusted to life in the United States, having U.S. born children and running successful businesses here in the US makes the possibility of forced repatriatino scary but its a fact we need to prepare ourselves for rather than whining and complaining. Whining will not change the fact that we will be foreced to transition back to Liberia. But come on people, you need to find a better reason for the US Government to alow us to stay Stateside than “How can I leave my children in America; they are American citizens and have a right to be here.” I have heard an argument similar to that time and time again from my fellow Liberians. Immigration is simply going to suggest you take your children home with you if they are minors and that they have every right to return Stateside whenever they want to — especially for school before or after graduating high school in Liberia.
Understanding that the transition will be difficult, we need to stop having panic attacks about returning and start making positive strides to determine and put in place, jobs, business or means of generating income to make the transition easier and also to help stimulate the economy of Liberia. IT MAY NOT BE SUCH A BAD THING MY PEOPLE.
Misi | Feb 11, 2009 | Reply
@Jules, my question to you is do you think it is fair to just throw them back like that. They should be given a choice, after all they have built a life here and its not fair to expect them to just start all over again in Liberia, a place they haven’t been in years.
Amcgill | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply
thanks for your concerns for Liberian in the US.
I am a Liberian that fled from my country at 17yrs(1991).I saw my family members killed and was rape,saw pregnant women split open and kill and many horrid thing that cannot be said. I still have night mares.
i came to this country as a visitor and change my status to TPS/DED. I did not have ideal/mony to file for refugee status but went to school and got my education(BSN/BA).I am a RN/BSN working and on the verge of being deported. although nurses are in demand in the US.
I also have a son living as a refugee in The Ivory coast that depends on me.
We continue to pray to our GOD that someone will hear our plight and come to our aide.
Misi | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply
@ Amcgill, you are a good example why I say the US government should not just throw Liberians out of America after all they have contributed positively to the economy. You have obviously made your life in the US and I think it is totally unfair to force you back to liberia a place you left a very long time. How do they expect you to survive there?
Edie | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply
I agree with Misi – My parents came to the US for school in 1987 when I was only 3 years old – The war broke out shortly after and they adjusted their status to TPS. I am now 25, have my Bachelors degree, and currently working in a Finance position. I pay taxes here, contribute to society as much as I can, and consider America my home. All I know is America – I do not know how I will make it in Liberia. I do not have a home there and would be thrown into survival mode in a land that is foreign to me. I understand the idea of contributing to the country; however, I believe that it’s unjust to force that ideal on people that are simply working hard to support their families.
We will also not be in the position to contribute after being deported.
not see how I can contribute from the position I am in.
Figgy | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
The thought of even contemplating sending the Liberain people back is a complete and utter joke! I would hope all the Liberians and those who are aware of this situtaion fight this and force these officials to open thier eyes. Maybe these officials should come out to California and see what true illegal immigration has done to our society. If they are going to throw anyone out, maybe they should think of those who leach off our country and swindle the hard working tax payers of this country. Keep fighting on!!!
Gee | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
Yes, Figgy you’re right it is a Joke.I’ve lived in the US since the age of eleven.I had a small taste of the war and still have nightmares.I’m now 29, if they I’m going to be thrown out of here like a criminal I’m not going without a fight.I’ve paid my taxes and never been in trouble with the law.It’s just not right!
John Loehr | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
This is not true. A lot of Liberians come up with this story but when pressed cannot prove it. I am an ex immigration officer in the US who was at first very sympathetic to this story so we researched and found that less than one-tenth of Liberians that come up with the rape, preganant women killed etc stories actually experienced it. I think family should not be separated and people should not be forced to go where they are not comfortable going. However, I’d like Liberians to be truthful about their stories.