On October 29, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an update to its policy on Liberian nationals adjusting their status (obtaining a Green Card) under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) Program.
The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) Program was enacted in December 2019 to allow certain Liberian nationals living in the United States to apply for legal permanent residence.The Liberian national’s spouse, child under 21 years of age, or unmarried child over 21 years of age could also apply for permanent residence through LRIF.
The updated policy clarifies that to show Liberian nationality an applicant may use an unexpired Liberian passport or Liberian certificate of naturalization as primary evidence proving nationality. However, in the event an applicant cannot provide the primary evidence of nationality, the applicant must provide secondary evidence. Some forms of secondary evidence may include:
- Expired Liberian passports;
- Liberian baptismal records or other religious documents;
- Liberian school records; and
- Liberian medical records.
Along with the secondary evidence, the applicant could include a statement of why the applicant is not able to provide the primary evidence. This statement should include an explanation describing all of the applicant’s attempts at obtaining the primary evidence and evidence showing these attempts. Examples of evidence showing an attempt to obtain primary evidence can include: proof of an application for a Liberian passport, proof of a renewal application of an expired Liberian passport, among other documents.
The filing deadline for applications for permanent residence under LRIF is December 20, 2021. To apply for permanent residence under LRIF applicants must file a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. USCIS strongly recommends that applicants file the I-485 application before the deadline, to allow for any mailing delays.
If you have any questions regarding obtaining a Green Card under LRIF or any other immigration related matter, please do not hesitate to contact KILO Immigration, a Sacramento immigration law firm by filling out this contact form.