America's Voice Praises Advocates for New Law

The immigrant rights group America’s Voice has praised advocates across the country after Congress passed a law that creates a path to citizenship for Liberians who have been living legally in the United States for decades but had only been granted temporary rights to stay.

Now under the new law about 4000 people have had the threat of deportation lifted.

Pili Tobar, deputy director of America’s Voice, spoke out after the passage of a long awaited measure within the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that includes an amendment offering a path to citizenship for Liberians with Deferred Enforced Departure saying:

"This long awaited win for Liberian DED holders and their families is a direct result of the advocacy of immigrants, advocates and communities across the country who have fought tirelessly so that these Americans in everything but name can continue to call the United States their home.

"After the Trump administration tried its hardest to separate these families and send Liberian DED holders back to unstable and dangerous conditions, Liberian immigrants stood up and fought back. We stand in celebration beside the hard working organizations such as African Communities Together and The UndocuBlack Network, who have organized and fought endlessly to lift up the courage of Liberian DED holders in their fight to stay here in the U.S.

"A path to citizenship and permanent residency here in the U.S. will afford hard-working immigrants the security and certainty to live their lives with their families under the roofs they own, the businesses they run, in the communities they love.

"This is a momentous win, but there is still work to be done to protect the hundreds of thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and their families living in fear of family separation and deportation to countries in the midst of instability.

"While celebrating this moment for Liberian DED communities, we urge the Senate to take the next step and pass permanent protections and a path to citizenship for TPS holders and their families who are well-deserving of the same certainty and security."

Follow Frank Sharry and America’s Voice Education Fund on Twitter: @FrankSharry and @AmericasVoice

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