USCIS is Now Taking Green Card Applications for Liberian Refugees Under LRIF Law

Posted by Berd & Klauss, PLLC on February 7th, 2020

Employment authorization under the DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) for Liberians will be expiring on the 30^th of March, year 2020, but those covered by the DED may now be eligible for a Green Card or a permanent resident status under the recently enacted LRIF (Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness). Ask your green card lawyer in NYC if you satisfy the constitutional requirements to apply for such an adjustment of status under the brand-new law. Liberians who are qualified are eligible for Green Card and in turn could apply for authorization of employment.

The USCIS encourages those who wish to prevent any gaps or deficiencies in their employment documentation to accomplish and submit their application for employment authorization and adjustment of status as early as they could. You may seek the aid of a green card lawyer in New York to prevent any mistakes that could hurt your status adjustment and cause problems in your application.

Upon submitting your request, the USCIS may expedite processing of Application for Employment Authorization and Form I-765, based on pending application for status adjustment under the new law for Liberians with DED-based EAD (employment authorization document). This is provided that you are able to file your form I-765 on or before the March 30 expiry of the DED, along with a copy of your DED-based EAD.

A green card lawyer in NYC can help you expedite the processing of your status adjustment along with your employment authorization through an expedite request. Eligibility for status adjustment requires that you meet the following:

1. You are a Liberian national
2. You have properly completed and filed Form I-485 and Application to Register Permanent Residence/Application to Adjust Status by December 20, 2020
3. You’ve been continuously physically present in the US during the period beginning November 20, 2014 and ending on the date that you filed your Form I-485
4. You’re eligible for an immigrant visa; and
5. You’re admissible to the US for permanent residence, a waiver of inadmissibility or any other form of relief.

Some barriers to your eligibility for status adjustment under the new LRIF law include an aggravated felony conviction, a conviction for two or more crimes that involves moral turpitude, or involvement (being ordered, assisted, incited, participant) in the persecution of any individual on account of nationality, race, religion, political opinion, or membership in a social group.

About the Author:
This content is written by Patrick Klauss, Esq, who is an immigration lawyer and a partner at Berd & Klauss, PLLC. The firm specializes in immigration & immigration-related issues and handles everything from immigrant visas to deportation and waivers.