On March 18, 2010, the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program for Liberian nationals was extended to September 30, 2011. DED is a program that allows certain Liberian nationals to remain in the United States and allows them to obtain work cards.

USCIS has published a set of Liberian DED Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the extension. Highlights of the FAQ include:

• Employment authorization for Liberian nationals covered under the program has been automatically extended through September 30, 2010. This automatic extension is to allow eligible Liberian nationals to continue to work while they file their applications for new EADs.
• Not all Liberian nationals are eligible for DED. Those ineligible for the program include: any Liberian national who did not have Temporary Protected Status on September 30, 2007, certain criminals, persons subject to the mandatory bars to Temporary Protected Status and persons whose removal is in the interest of the United States.
• Any Liberian national who has voluntarily returned to Liberia is not eligible for DED extension.
• The extension is automatic – no application for the extension is required. You do need to file a Form I-765 to receive work authorization beyond September 30, 2010.
• Electronic filing is not available for Form I-765 based on the extension.
• You can tell if your EAD has been automatically extended if it has “A-11” on the face of the card under “Category” and has an expiration date of March 31, 2010.
• You may be able to leave the United States and legally re-enter before September 30, 2011 if you are granted advance parole before departing the United States. You can apply for advance parole using Form I-131. If you seek advance parole to go to Liberia, you risk being found ineligible to reenter the United States under DED.

This extension was granted because the President determined that there are compelling foreign policy reasons to extend DED for Liberian nationals. There is no guarantee that DED for Liberian nationals will be extended beyond September 30, 2011. If you qualify for DED and have questions about your immigration status, you should discuss your situation with a qualified immigration lawyer. What options you have to adjust to another immigration status, if any, will depend on your specific situation.