[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 12, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Cardin, Ms. 
        Klobuchar, Mr. Franken, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Cowan):
  S. 527. A bill to provide for the adjustment of status of certain 
nationals of Liberia to that of lawful permanent residents; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce the Liberian Refugee 
Immigration Fairness Act along with Senators Whitehouse, Cardin, 
Klobuchar, Franken, Warren, and Cowan.
  In December 1989, Liberia became engulfed in a devastating 7-year 
civil war, which killed over 150,000 people, displaced more than half 
the population, and destroyed the country's infrastructure. Thousands 
of Liberians who were forced from their homes sought refuge in the 
United States and in 1991, were granted Temporary Protected Status, 
TPS. Since that time, the status of many of these refugees, as well as 
many of those who fled to the United States during Liberia's second 
civil war, 1999-2003, has been extended through renewals of both TPS 
and Deferred Enforced Departure, DED.
  America is now home to these law-abiding and tax-paying Liberians. 
They came here to escape violence and are strengthening our 
communities. Many now have children of their own who are U.S. citizens, 
some of whom serve in the U.S. military. They are here legally, and 
they continue to work hard and play by the rules.
  We are currently less than 20 days away from the expiration of DED on 
March 31, 2013. In the short term, I have been joined by several 
colleagues in urging the Administration to extend DED so Liberians who 
have lived here legally do not face deportation.
  The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, which I have 
introduced every Congress since 1999, offers a more long-term solution. 
It seeks to provide a path to citizenship for qualifying Liberian 
refugees. After decades of perennial uncertainty about whether they 
will be able to stay in their communities or whether their families 
will be split up, this bill would give eligible Liberians the 
opportunity to apply for legal permanent residency, and begin the 
process of finally becoming citizens.
  Currently, a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues is working 
towards a comprehensive immigration reform bill. I look forward to 
working with them and others to include the Liberian Refugee 
Immigration Fairness Act in immigration reform. I thank Senators 
Whitehouse, Cardin, Klobuchar, Franken, Warren, and Cowan for 
cosponsoring this bill and urge our colleagues to join us in taking the 
next steps to finally provide a path to citizenship for qualifying 
Liberians.
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