WASHINGTON- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation of Liberia; the designation will remain in effect through October 1, 2007. DHS also granted an automatic six-month extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) through April 1, 2007. This will allow sufficient time for eligible TPS beneficiaries to receive a new EAD without any lapse in employment authorization.

A Federal Register Notice will be published in the coming days that will describe the Secretary’s determination in greater detail and set forth the procedures for re-registering for benefits valid until the effective date of termination. Re-registration is limited to eligible nationals of Liberia (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia) who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Liberia and whose application was granted or remains pending. This re-registration is required in order to maintain one’s Temporary Protected Status and to receive work authorization valid through October 1, 2007. Approximately, 3,600 nationals of Liberia who presently receive benefits under the TPS designation of Liberia will be affected.

After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate Government agencies, the Secretary of Homeland Security determined that conditions in Liberia no longer support the TPS designation and is therefore terminating the designation. The designation will remain in effect through October 1, 2007 (twelve months from the end of the current extension) to provide an orderly transition.

Once the TPS designation is no longer in effect on October 2, 2007, former TPS beneficiaries return to the same immigration status they maintained before registering for TPS (unless that status has since expired or been terminated), or to any other status they may have acquired while registered for TPS.

Accordingly, if an individual did not have lawful immigration status at the time of receiving TPS benefits, and did not obtain any other status during the TPS designation period, he or she will revert to being without lawful status upon the termination of the TPS designation for Liberia. Such individuals are expected to depart the United States on or before October 1, 2007. Those who do not comply with this requirement may be subject to removal.

After October 1, 2007, former TPS beneficiaries will no longer be eligible for a stay of removal or an EAD under the TPS program. New TPS-related employment authorization documents with an October 1, 2007 expiration date will be issued to eligible re-registrants but will not be renewed.

The conclusion of the TPS designation for Liberia does not necessarily affect pending applications for other forms of immigration relief or protection. Former TPS beneficiaries, however, will begin to accrue unlawful presence as of October 2, 2007, if they have not been granted any other immigration status or protection, or if they have no pending application for certain benefits. Individuals who accrue certain periods of unlawful presence in the United States may be barred from admission to the United States and become ineligible for certain immigration benefits for a specified period of time.

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