Post by sudan on Mar 9, 2007 2:45:39 GMT -5
Fall deadline affects Liberians in Richmond area
They're losing protected status and must return to homeland
BY ROBIN FARMER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Monday, March 5, 2007
In six months, Georgia Thompson-Bates will take her 73-year-old father back to their homeland of Liberia.
It's not by choice.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security six months ago said that now that civil war in Liberia has stabilized, thousands of Liberians living in America under temporary protected status must return to the West African nation by Oct. 1.
"It's regrettable," said Thompson-Bates, a Richmond resident since 1998. "People left home because of the war. They lost houses. My father is here on TPS. If he has to go back, he has nowhere to stay.
"He has two children, and we're here. For them to discontinue it was just shocking for me," she said.
The Richmond area's small Liberian community is beginning to come together to address the issue of the impending forced departure, Thompson-Bates said. Her husband, Edward Bates, is president of the Liberian Auxiliary Association.
He said the organization, which includes the Richmond area and Petersburg, has 500 members. Of that number, about 300 stand to be affected by the fall deadline.
Some Liberians have been residents for many years and are valued members of the community, he said. There is also concern whether the Liberian government can provide jobs for those who return.
"We want to make sure everything is fine before they go," said Bates, who has lived in Richmond for 14 years.
Estimates of the number of Liberians across the nation who are not U.S. residents who have been allowed to stay temporarily range from 3,600 to 10,000.
The U.S. attorney general designated Liberians for temporary protected status in October 2002 because armed conflict in Liberia made it unsafe for them to return home.
The Federal Register notice six months ago said protected status for Liberians would be terminated because "the uncertain situation that characterized the immediate aftermath of the armed conflict's end and the temporary and extraordinary conditions caused by the long war have improved."
The notice also mentioned the presence of a large peacekeeping mission and noted the existence of a "democratically elected government with the capacity to accept the return of its nationals."
Ida M. Daniels, who left Liberia in 1980, said she understands why the government wants its people to return.
"Our country is growing, and they need us. But it depends on the individual," said Daniels, owner and chef of Ma-Musu's West African Cuisine in Richmond.
The length of time in America should be evaluated "before you kick people out," she said.
For many, it will be difficult to pull up roots.
"There are those who have been here five years or more," Daniels said. "They're part of the community. Their children are in school. They've been on the job for a number of years. Some have bought homes," she said.
Thompson-Bates said her father, George Thompson, who has lived in Richmond since 2000, would have a difficult time adjusting to life in Liberia since losing his leg.
He has no immediate family in Liberia.
"I have to take him back," said Thompson-Bates, "and build him a place to live."
Contact staff writer Robin Farmer at rfarmer@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6312.
This story can be found at: www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193524775&path=!news&s=1045855934842
They're losing protected status and must return to homeland
BY ROBIN FARMER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Monday, March 5, 2007
In six months, Georgia Thompson-Bates will take her 73-year-old father back to their homeland of Liberia.
It's not by choice.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security six months ago said that now that civil war in Liberia has stabilized, thousands of Liberians living in America under temporary protected status must return to the West African nation by Oct. 1.
"It's regrettable," said Thompson-Bates, a Richmond resident since 1998. "People left home because of the war. They lost houses. My father is here on TPS. If he has to go back, he has nowhere to stay.
"He has two children, and we're here. For them to discontinue it was just shocking for me," she said.
The Richmond area's small Liberian community is beginning to come together to address the issue of the impending forced departure, Thompson-Bates said. Her husband, Edward Bates, is president of the Liberian Auxiliary Association.
He said the organization, which includes the Richmond area and Petersburg, has 500 members. Of that number, about 300 stand to be affected by the fall deadline.
Some Liberians have been residents for many years and are valued members of the community, he said. There is also concern whether the Liberian government can provide jobs for those who return.
"We want to make sure everything is fine before they go," said Bates, who has lived in Richmond for 14 years.
Estimates of the number of Liberians across the nation who are not U.S. residents who have been allowed to stay temporarily range from 3,600 to 10,000.
The U.S. attorney general designated Liberians for temporary protected status in October 2002 because armed conflict in Liberia made it unsafe for them to return home.
The Federal Register notice six months ago said protected status for Liberians would be terminated because "the uncertain situation that characterized the immediate aftermath of the armed conflict's end and the temporary and extraordinary conditions caused by the long war have improved."
The notice also mentioned the presence of a large peacekeeping mission and noted the existence of a "democratically elected government with the capacity to accept the return of its nationals."
Ida M. Daniels, who left Liberia in 1980, said she understands why the government wants its people to return.
"Our country is growing, and they need us. But it depends on the individual," said Daniels, owner and chef of Ma-Musu's West African Cuisine in Richmond.
The length of time in America should be evaluated "before you kick people out," she said.
For many, it will be difficult to pull up roots.
"There are those who have been here five years or more," Daniels said. "They're part of the community. Their children are in school. They've been on the job for a number of years. Some have bought homes," she said.
Thompson-Bates said her father, George Thompson, who has lived in Richmond since 2000, would have a difficult time adjusting to life in Liberia since losing his leg.
He has no immediate family in Liberia.
"I have to take him back," said Thompson-Bates, "and build him a place to live."
Contact staff writer Robin Farmer at rfarmer@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6312.
This story can be found at: www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193524775&path=!news&s=1045855934842