WASHINGTON, DC – Today at 4 PM EST, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), Senator Jack Reed (RI) and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (MN) will join a group of Liberians from the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) on the House Triangle to urge Congress to take legislative action to prevent the expiration of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) on March 31.
The group of Liberians from ULAA will be led by Imam Mohammed Dukuly, a Liberia native and Imam of the Mosque of the Helpers in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The United States has been home to thousands of law-abiding, taxpaying Liberians for more than a quarter of a century, after Liberian families sought refuge in the United States following deadly civil wars in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the lethal Ebola virus outbreak in 2014-2016. They were first granted Temporary Protected Status in 1991, and since that time, subsequent Democratic and Republican Administrations have extended DED status for Liberians in recognition of the danger and instability in the region.
DED status for Liberians is set to expire on March 31st, at which point DED holders will be at risk of deportation.
The press conference will be livestreamed on Rep. Phillips Facebook page.
PRESS CONFERENCE URGING LEGISLATIVE FIX TO DED EXPIRATION
WHEN: Thursday, March 14th at 4:00 PM Eastern / 3:00 PM Central
WHERE: House Triangle
WHO:
- Rep. Dean Phillips
- Senator Jack Reed
- Senator Amy Klobuchar
- Senator Tina Smith
- Imam Mohammad Dukuly