    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 25, 2001]
    [Page 1163]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Measures Regarding Certain Liberians in the
    United States
    September 25, 2001

    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, and September 28, 2000, based on compelling foreign policy
    reasons, President Clinton directed Attorney General Reno to defer
    enforced departure of certain Liberians in the United States for 1-year
    periods from September 29, 1999, and September 29, 2000.
        There continues 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, 2001, 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, 2001; and
            2.   authorization for employment for 1 year from September 29,
                2001.

        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; (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.

                                                              George W. Bush