[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[September 28, 2000]
[Pages 1979-1980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on Measures Regarding Certain Liberians
in the United States
September 28, 2000

Memorandum for the Attorney General

Subject: Measures Regarding Certain Liberians in the United States

    Over the past 10 years, many Liberians were forced to flee their 
country due to civil war and widespread violence. From 1991 through 
1999, we provided Liberians in the United States with Temporary 
Protected Status because of these difficulties. Although the civil war 
in Liberia ended in 1996 and conditions improved such that a further 
extension of Temporary Protected Status was no longer warranted, the 
political and economic situation continued to be fragile. On September 
27, 1999, based on compelling foreign policy reasons, I directed you to 
defer enforced departure of certain Liberians in the United States for 1 
year from September 29, 1999.
    There continue to be compelling foreign policy reasons not to deport 
these Liberians at this time. In particular, there is a significant risk 
that such a decision would cause the involuntary repatriation of many 
thousands of Liberian refugees in West Africa, causing instability in 
Liberia and the region.
    Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign 
relations of the United States, I have determined that it is in the 
foreign policy interest of the United States to defer for 1 year the 
deportation of any Liberian national who is present in the United States 
as of September 29, 2000, except for the categories of individuals 
listed below.
    Accordingly, I now direct you to take the necessary steps to 
implement for these Liberians:
        1.   deferral of enforced departure from the United States for 1 
            year from September 29, 2000; and
        2.   authorization for employment for 1 year from September 29, 
            2000.
    This directive shall not apply to any Liberian national: (1) who is 
ineligible for Temporary Protected Status for the reasons provided in 
section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; (2) whose 
removal you determine is in the interest of the United States; (3) 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;

[[Page 1980]]

(4) who voluntarily returned or returns to Liberia or his or her country 
of last habitual residence outside the United States; (5) who was 
deported, excluded, or removed prior to the date of this memorandum; or 
(6) who is subject to extradition.
    These measures shall be taken as of the date of this memorandum.

                                                      William J. Clinton