In our endeavor to find a lasting solution to the permanent resident status dilemma facing a little over 3500 Liberians in the United States, the Liberian Ministers Association, in a collaborative effort with the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, under the auspices of the Coalition for Permanent Resident Status, made a two-day trip (May 13-14, 2008) to Washington DC to do the following:
1.
Thank supporters of both the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2007, S. 656, introduced to the senate floor since 1999 and in February 2007 by Senator Jack Reed and H.R. 1941, the House of Representatives’ version, the Liberian Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 2007, introduced by Congressman Kennedy. If these two bills are passed, certain Liberian nationals (those on TPS—currently DED) will be allowed to adjust to permanent resident status.
2. Ask our supporters for helpful ideas, strategies, and processes to create more awareness that would eventually enable us to gain additional co-sponsors to aid the smooth passage of the bills in both houses.
3. Solicit new co-sponsors and give our current sponsors and co-sponsors in both houses tangible reasons to continue caring about our plight, and to go the extra miles by contacting their colleagues to support the bills.
Using the above three reasons as guiding principle, a team of over 23 people from different states, namely Minnesota, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Rhode Island, and representatives of other organizations and institutions such as the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Amnesty International USA, ULAA—Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, and the Liberian Embassy assembled on Capital Hill and engaged a number of senators and representatives as well as members of subcommittees to lengthen their support for the Liberian immigration bills in both houses.
The team met with over 25 offices and stopped by several to show gratitude, to hand out information, and to seek new co-sponsors or supporters. Some of the offices visited were Congressman Norm Coleman—(R-MN)--a supporter, Congressman Collin Peterson—(D-MN)—a-supporter, Congresswoman Betty McCollum—(D-MN)—supporter, Congressman Howard Berman—(D-CA)-a supporter, Congressman Arthur Davis—(D-AL)—a supporter, Congressman Tim Walz—(D-RD)-a supporter, Congressman Edward Kennedy—(D-MA)—a supporter, Congresswoman Diane Feinstein—(D-CA)—a supporter, Congressman Roy Blunt—(R-MO)—a supporter, Congressman Richard Durbin (R-IL)—a supporter, Congressman Charles Schumer—(D-NY) -not yet a support—could be if more Liberians from his electoral district or state call his office; Congressman Eric Canton—(R-VA)-not yet a supporter-- could be if more Liberians from his electoral district or state call his office; Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI)-a supporter, etc.
Recommendations from our Supporters and yet to be Supporters
1.Due to the current political climate on the Hill, couple with almost every congressman/woman seeking re-election, the issue of immigration is a toxic one. As such any attempt now to re- introduce S.656 and H.R. 1941, which seek to grant Liberians on TPs—currently DED-- permanent resident status, will engender a stronger opposition, and the ramification could be lethal to our cause.
2.Rather than seeking to re-introduce the bills now in both houses, the Liberian community in the United States and its supporters should embark on an assertive and strategic awareness campaign, ensuring that every Liberian in every state contacts his or her senators and representatives to support S.656 and H.R.1941. There are more Democrats supporting S.656 and H.R.1941 than Republicans. Forty (40) Republican senators are needed to pass the S. 656 in the Senate. Hence, the awareness campaign should target key Republican leaders as well as many Republican senators and representatives. Two to three visits to Washington from now to January with a delegation comprising Liberians from every state will be helpful.
3. Even though the conditions that warrant extension of TPS no longer exit in Liberian, the likelihood of extending DED for another year to give ample time for the passage of S.656 and H.R.1941 is greater, especially with a new president taking office in January. To make this happen, presidential candidates must be contacted now, and the discussion to extend DED, which can only be done by the President/Whitehouse, be initiated.
What We Need From You, Our Partners
For S.656 and H.R.1941 to be passed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it will require collective effort. We ask that you join our awareness campaign, if you have not. If you have, we ask that you go the extra miles by contacting your senators and representatives and by calling families and friends in other states to contact their representatives and senators about 656 and H.R.1941. With God above, and our hands joint together, the long sought after dream of turning TPS—currently DED-- into permanent resident status can become a reality.
.
In closing, we want to express our thanks and appreciation to all of you, who one way or the other supported the LMA’s delegation to Washington DC. As the process continues, we look forward to more of you supports in the future.
In His service,
Rev. Alexander Collins
On behalf of LMA’s delegation to Washington DC
