Reinstating Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians

This memorandum reinstates Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians who were under DED protection as of January 10, 2021, deferring their removal and providing employment authorization through June 30, 2022. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement these protections and review LRIF adjustment-of-status procedures to ensure timely processing.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 7055

Impact dates

Jun 30, 2022
DED deferral and employment authorization expire

Key directives

Defer removal of eligible Liberians through June 30, 2022
Provide continued employment authorization through June 30, 2022
Publish Federal Register notice for immediate employment authorization allowance
Provide prompt issuance of new or replacement employment authorization documents
Review LRIF application procedures to facilitate ease of application and timely adjudication
Publish memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

DED reinstatement effective immediately
Employment authorization extended through June 30, 2022
Federal Register notice for immediate allowance of employment authorization

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Homeland Security to review LRIF application procedures for ease and timeliness
Prompt issuance of new or replacement employment authorization documents

Long term

DED protection expires June 30, 2022 unless extended
LRIF adjustment of status applications continue under extended statutory deadline

Risks & tensions

Temporary nature creates cliff for beneficiaries if not extended or if LRIF adjudication lags
LRIF application backlogs and 'cumbersome procedures' noted as ongoing problem
Exclusion categories (criminal, national security, voluntary departure 180+ days) may create enforcement ambiguity
Employment authorization gap risk: prior DED expired January 10, 2021; reinstatement dated January 20, 2021