    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 12, 2007]
    [Pages 1193-1194]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Measures Regarding Certain Liberians in the United States
    September 12, 2007

    Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security

    Subject: Measures Regarding Certain Liberians in the United States

        Since 1991, the United States has provided safe haven for Liberians
    who were forced to flee their country as a result of armed conflict and
    widespread civil strife. Eventually, many Liberians were granted
    Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and permitted to remain and obtain work
    eligibility in the United States temporarily. Although the armed
    conflict in Liberia ended in 2003 and conditions have improved, I have
    found that the political and economic situation in Liberia continues to
    be fragile.
        While acknowledging the progress ongoing in Liberia under that
    country's current administration, I have determined that there are
    compelling foreign policy reasons not to enforce the removal of
    Liberians presently residing in the United States under TPS. In
    particular, Liberia is struggling to implement reconstruction and
    economic stabilization programs for the population, including the
    thousands of former Liberian refugees who have returned from the West
    African region and elsewhere.
        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 18 months the
    removal of any Liberian national (or person without nationality who last
    habitually resided in Liberia) who is present in the United States and
    who is under a grant of TPS as of September 30, 2007, and who has
    continuously resided in the United States since October 1, 2002, 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 18
            months from October 1, 2007; and

    [[Page 1194]]

        2. authorization for employment for 18 months from October 1, 2007.
        This directive shall not apply to any Liberian national (or person
    without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia): (1) who is
    ineligible for TPS for the reasons provided in section 244(c)(2)(B) of
    the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B); (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 has
    voluntarily returned 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.

                                                              George W. Bush