Recently, USCIS began accepting applications from certain Liberian nationals to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents. This comes after the December 20, 2019 passing of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020, Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness.
However, to qualify for permanent residence, among other things, individuals must have been physically present in the U.S. from November 20, 2014, to the date they file for adjustment of status. These individuals will have until December 20, 2020, to submit their applications. Additionally, it is worth noting that these immigrants must be otherwise admissible to the United States, and there are certain standard grounds of inadmissibility for other immigrants that will not apply to these Liberians. They are as follows:
- Public Charge (INA 212(a)(4))
- Aliens Present Without Admission or Parole (INA 212(a)(6)(A))
- Documentation Requirements (INA 212(a)(7)(A))
- Labor Certification Requirements (INA 212(a)(5))
That being said, there are still certain grounds that would render these immigrants inadmissible, including being convicted of an aggravated felony, being convicted of two or more crimes involving “moral turpitude,” or having been ordered, incited, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person simply because of their religion, race, ethnicity, or any other prejudice reason.
Lastly, you should note that if you receive your Green Card, your family members may also apply for a Green Card under the LRIF if they meet the following standards:
- They are either the spouse of the Green Card holder, the unmarried child of one, or are the unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old of a Liberian national who meets these requirements
- You are otherwise eligible for an immigrant visa
- You file before December 20, 2020
- You are admissible to the United States
If you are someone who qualifies for a Green Card under the LRIF, please do not hesitate to reach out to our compassionate, knowledgeable Wisconsin immigration firm to learn more about the legal process going forward.
Contact our experienced Wisconsin immigration firm
John Sesini is an experienced immigration attorney with offices in Green Bay and Milwaukee Wisconsin. Our firm understands what is at stake when it comes to immigration law matters, which is why If you have any questions, you should not hesitate to contact the Sesini Law Group, S.C. and schedule your initial consultation with our firm today.