Thousands of these Liberians legally live and work in the United States under Temporary Protected Status.  But as of October 1, 2007, they will be uprooted once again because of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end TPS for Liberians.  Although the war ended in 2003 and Liberians elected a new government in 2005, Liberia’s economy, infrastructure, and social services remain devastated.  Illiteracy is estimated to be between 70 and 80 percent in Liberia.  The unemployment rate is at least as high.  School buildings are in poor condition and overcrowded; students are taught by unqualified teachers.  The majority of the population still lives without clean drinking water, access to health care, or electricity.  Liberia’s police force is poorly equipped, and Liberia’s high crime rate is exacerbated by high unemployment. 

Dorsey’s report, Liberia Is Not Ready: A Report of Country Conditions in Liberia and Reasons the United States Should Not End Temporary Protected Status for Liberians, examines the most recent accounts of the country conditions in Liberia.  The report focuses on the country’s refugee return program, economy, infrastructure, health care, education, security, and justice systems.  The findings in the report underscore the vital need to grant the Liberian government time to establish itself as a stable and secure democracy that is able to provide for its population. Liberians should be allowed to remain in the United States while the Liberian government moves forward during this critical time in its history.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a special immigration status that allows certain populations to remain in the United States because of ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.  When civil war erupted in Liberia in 1989, hundreds of thousands of Liberians were forced to flee their home country.  Thousands came to the United States, seeking peace, safety, employment, health, and education.  Liberians have established stable and secure homes in the United States.  They now hold regular jobs, pay rent and own houses, and go to school here.  Many have children who were born in this country—these children are U.S. citizens.

Listen to NPR commentary and coverage of the inability of Liberia to absorb returnees from the U.S.

 Liberia TPS Report Press Release