Liberian DED Has Been Extended

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 stated 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.

LRIF Guidance Published and Opened for Comment

USCIS published guidance on Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness, or LRIF, processing in Volume 7, Chapter 5 of its Policy Manual on April 7. LRIF, a provision in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, allows certain Liberians who have lived in the United States since November 20, 2014, including many Liberians with Temporary Protected Status and/or Deferred Enforced Departure, and certain family members, to apply for adjustment of status.

Advocates have awaited updates to the USCIS Policy Manual — which serves as the agency’s centralized online resource for USCIS’ immigration policies — since LRIF was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2019. This newly released chapter in the Policy Manual goes into effect immediately and provides potentially eligible applicants and legal services providers with more information on eligibility requirements (including for family members), documentation and evidence, employment authorization while applications are pending, the adjudication process, admission dates for permanent residence and more.

USCIS has also released a related Policy Alert and opened a period for comment on the new chapter through May 7, 2020. Comments submitted via email to USCISPolicyManual@uscis.dhs.gov should include the title of the volume and section in the subject line of the email message (7 USCIS-PM P.5). More information about submitting a comment to USCIS can be found on the USCIS Policy Manual webpage.

CLINIC plans to submit a comment to USCIS on the Policy Manual update, hold a webinar on LRIF implementation and will update its FAQ and other resources on LRIF as soon as possible. Please check CLINIC’s LRIF webpage frequently for updates.