Sunday, March 8, 2009

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seeking a temporary reprieve for Liberians about to be deported.......


U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, along with six other Democratic senators, is asking Pres. Barack Obama to grant thousands of Liberians living legally in the U.S. under a temporary protected status, a reprieve from imminent deportation.

Klobuchar says it is important to extend the protected status and, eventually, give them permanent legal status.

"They've been a part of our community in the Twin Cities. They work in our jobs in Minnesota, and we want to make sure they can stay and not go back to a dangerous situation. These Liberians have been living in the United States for almost two decades. They've fled their own country; they were forced from their homes.," said Klobuchar.

It is estimated that more than 30,000 Liberians live in the state of Minnesota, one of the highest concentration of Liberians in the country , and most of them were granted Temporary Protected status when they fled the civil unrest in Liberia. Their temporary status is due to expire on March 31st.