Several thousand Liberians who were forced from their homes because of the civil war sought refuge in the United States. In 1991. the Attorney General determined that Liberia was experiencing an ongoing armed conflict which prevented Liberian nationals from safely returning home. She granted Liberians who were present in the United States on March 27. 1991 temporary protected status (TPS). which provides temporary relief from deportation. Because the conflict in Liberia continued to rage. the Attorney General extended TPS each year for the next six years. Furthermore. conditions in Liberia deteriorated to such an extent in 1996. that the Attorney General "redesignated" TPS for Liberians who arrived after March 27. 1991 but were living in the United States on June 1. 1996. Never before in history had the Attorney General been compelled to redesignate a state for TPS. Recently. however. the Attorney General declared that TPS would end for all Liberians on September 28. 1998. It is true that on July 19. 1997. Liberians elected former warlord Charles Taylor president and 300 international observers deemed the election free and fair.
Keywords matched
deportation temporary protected status TPS