I am writing to voice my strong support of Senate Bill 656, Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act. This Senate legislation is sponsored by Democrats Jack Reed(D-RI) and Keith Ellison(D-MN). Originally introduced in the 110th congress on Feb 16, 2007, this bill has over 15 co-sponsors including Senator Richard Durbin(D-IL), John Kerry(D-MA), Amy Klobuchar(D-MN), and Sheldon Whitehouse(D-RI). I am asking that you please sign on as a co-sponsor for the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (S. 656), which will prevent the deportation of thousands of Liberian nationals who have been residing as refugees in the United States.

As many as 4,000 Liberians who have been legally residing in the United States through Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are in jeopardy of being deported. TPS is one of the humanitarian designations that have allowed eligible Liberians to remain in the U.S. since 1991 because of the civil unrest in their country. In 2007 President Bush authorized Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) which gave Liberians a period of 18 months to prepare to leave the United States or be deported on March 31, 2009.

Many Liberians who have been working, paying taxes and raising family will now be forced to uproot and return home. Many of these individuals have not been home since they left, since TPS renewal required continuous physical presence in the United States, thus making it difficult to re-enter the US after a visit home. Therefore, these Liberian citizens have not been able to make much preparation to return home. Many Liberian families include parents with kids that were born here, thus making these children U.S. citizens. America is the only home that these kids have known. However, these kids will also have to be uprooted and resettled in Liberia with their parents where the school systems are still trying to recover from many years of civil war.

While Liberia has been making strides towards normalcy since its 2006 elections progress is slow. Currently, Liberia suffers from an 80 percent unemployment rate, making it quite impossible to accommodate an in surge of its citizens into it ports. A return of its citizens will severely retard its progress. The Liberian Refugee Immigration Act will allow law-abiding Liberians to obtain Permanent Resident Status, which will allow them to feel fully at home in a country that they have been a part of for many years. This will also allow them to be able to easily return home to help rebuild Liberia and be assured re-entry upon their return.

I appreciate your consideration of this immigration issue which is of grave concern of constituents in "Your state". I hope I can count on your support as a co-sponsor of Senate Bill S.656

Sincerely,

Your Name