US Granting Green Cards to Liberian Nationals Who Have Been Living in the Country Since 2014
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has began accepting applications for some Liberian nationals to adjust status to lawful permanent resident under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) program, signed into law on December 20, 2019.
To be eligible for a green card under the LRIF program, the applicant must be a Liberian national and mist have been continuously physically present in the United States from November 20, 2014 to the date they properly file an application for adjustment of status.
Spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and unmarried sons and daughters 21 years of age or older of eligible Liberian nationals are also eligible for green cards, says USCIS.
According to USCIS, the following grounds of inadmissibility do not apply to applicants under the LRIF:
- Public Charge (INA 212(a)(4));
- Labor Certification Requirements (INA 212(a)(5));
- Aliens Present Without Admission or Parole (INA 212(a)(6)(A)); and
- Documentation Requirements (INA 212(a)(7)(A)).
Aliens are ineligible under LRIF if they have:
- Been convicted of any aggravated felony;
- Been convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense); or
- Ordered, incited, assisted or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
USCIS will accept properly filed LRIF applications beginning December 20, 2019 and ending December 20, 2020, the first year anniversary of the enactment of the LRIF.
More information on LRIF including how to file can be found on this LRIF page.