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"Step up your game on Liberian DED," Kirkpatrick Weah urges
As the expiration date for Liberians on DED draws near, a resilient Liberian immigration advocate is calling upon Liberians and friends of Liberians to "step up their game and intensify" the efforts by calling their respective congressional leaders and the offices of President Barack Obama.
Mr. Kirkpatrick Weah made the call on Sunday, March 6, 2010 at the Pilgrim for Christ Wesleyan Church in St. Paul where he went to attend the installation of the Church Pastor, Rev. Alphonso Johnson. Mr. Weah warned that the temporary immigration reprieve (DED) granted by President Obama will come to an end by March 31, 2010 and over three thousand Liberians, not only those currently on DED, will be affected. He emphasized that with the end of DED the search for Liberians living in the U.S. in contravention of the immigration law (with expiration of DED) will lead to those that were not even on DED in problem with the law.
Mr. Weah named Rev. John W. Baker, Senior Pastor of the Oakdale Church Saint Paul, MN, as the chairman of the committee on DED.
Recently Mr. Weah issued a statement in which he indicated that on the issue of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP Bill by Rep. Louis Gutierrez of Illinois has no specific provision for Liberians on DED. He said it provides for granting "Conditional Nonimmigrant" status to those that are illegal to be given six years immigration reprieve. The Bill reflects the many years of struggle by Hispanics and Southeast Asians. The expression is in the "Uniting American Family Act, and the "Dream Act" that are enshrined in Gutierrez Bill (see HR 4321, Title IV, Subtitle A).
Mr. Weah said since March 23, 2009 only six Senators co-signed Sen. Jack Reeds Bill (S.656) while only two Representatives co-signed the Patrick Kennedy’s House Bill. He there is therefore calling upon all Liberians and friends of Liberian to continue to call their respective US senators and representatives as well as the offices of President Obama. Liberians on DED, he emphasized need to stand up and work extremely hard for their own good.
Several Liberian groups through the United States are converging on Washington DC for a major Liberian immigration initiative. US Senator Jack Reed, a long time champion of the Liberian immigration struggle is expected to deliver the key note address.
Support Deferred Enforced Departure Status for Liberian Refugees in the
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