It is time for Liberians in the Southwest to get up and lend support to an issue that has a potential to; if not taken care of now, affect thousands of Liberians living in the United States who are currently on TPS/DED and visitor visa.
While ULAA, in conjunction with other Liberian communities, organizations and churches across the country are proactive on this issue, we in the southwest seem to go about business as usual, like it does not concern us.
It is time for our community leaders, organizations and churches to stand up and bring awareness of this issue to all Liberians in the Southwest. We must mobilize our members and fellow citizens to take a proactive stand in the interest of all Liberians.
Senate Bill S656 (Liberian Refugee Immigration fairness Act of 2006) was introduced on February 16, 2007 on the floor of the senate. This Bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee. The purpose of this Bill S656 is to grant Liberians that are on TPS/DED Permanent Residence status. We believe this will alleviate the uncertainty and concerns that many Liberians face about their status in the United States.
We believed this is a Fairness Act because refugees and immigrants from other countries (mostly Europeans) with similar situations were granted Permanent Resident status (Green Card) after TPS/DED ended. We want the same apply to Liberians that are on TPS/DED. This can only happen if we call our senators and ask them to co-sponsor and support the bill. Other nationalities did this in the past; there should no reason why we as Liberians can not do the same.
Therefore it is imperative, necessary, very important and urgent that we call or write our state Senators to support this Bill S656. All Liberians in the Southwest are called upon to take a stand and call their senators. We need to do it right now. We can not sit back and wait for others to carry our concerns and issues. We must be in the fore front.
As the saying goes; “Heaven helps those who help themselves”.
THE DALLAS
