Extension/Expansion of DED/EADs for Certain Liberians

This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 09/06/2022

"On June 27, 2022, President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining that it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer, through June 30, 2024, the removal of certain Liberian nationals, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, who are present in the United States and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. The memorandum directed the Secretary to make provision for immediate allowance of employment authorization for such individuals. This Notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for certain eligible Liberian nationals, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, and provides information on how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS. Through this notice, DHS is providing employment authorization, including procedures for obtaining related documentation, for covered individuals through June 30, 2024, and automatically extending the validity of DED-based EADs bearing a Category Code of A-11 and a “Card Expires” date of March 30, 2020, January 10, 2021, or June 30, 2022, through June 30, 2024. Finally, this Notice provides instructions for DED-eligible Liberians, or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, on how to file for travel authorization. DATES: The extension and expansion of DED and employment authorization for noncitizens covered by DED for Liberians is effective June 27, 2022, through June 30, 2024. Employment authorization and the procedures for obtaining EADs in this Notice apply to any of the following individuals who are not subject to any of the ineligibilities described in President Biden’s memorandum to the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security: noncitizens who are Liberian nationals, or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, regardless of country of birth, who were covered by DED as of June 30, 2022; as well as to Liberian nationals, or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, regardless of country of birth, who have been continuously physically present in the United States since May 20, 2017. Liberian nationals, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, must meet all eligibility criteria for DED described below."