Leahy Welcomes Adm.'s Extension of Departure Rules for Liberian Nationals

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following are the comments of Senator Patrick Leahy , D-Vt., chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, and chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on State Department and Foreign Operations, on the Administration's further extension Tuesday of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) provisions for Liberian nationals in the United States:

"I commend the President for extending deferred enforced departure for Liberians, and for doing so well ahead of the September 30 expiration of their current status. I joined Senator Jack Reed in asking President Obama to take this step and appreciate the President's timely action.

"Liberia continues to make great strides under the leadership of the freely elected President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , with whom I was pleased to meet again recently in Washington. Liberia faces continuing challenges in rebuilding after a long civil war, while doing its best to offer protection to refugees from neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. America can support Liberia by enabling Liberians who are lawfully here to remain here while they assist their families and communities from abroad."

SOURCE Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy