News Americas, New York, NY, Tuesday. September 24, 2024: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new procedures for Liberians covered by Deferred Departure (DED) to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) valid until June 30, 2026. The announcement follows a memorandum issued by President Joe Biden on June 28, 2024, which extended DED protections for some Liberians.
President Biden’s DED Extension to Liberians
The 2024 presidential memorandum extends the departure of eligible Liberians until June 30, 2026. This extension applies to those who were continuously present in the United States as of May 20, 2017 and who were previously eligible under the 2022 DED memorandum.
Automatic extension of EADs for Liberians
As part of this Federal Register notice, USCIS has automatically extended the validity of DED-related Employment Authorization Documents bearing Category Code A11 and expiration dates of March 30, 2020, January 10, 2021, June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2024. These documents will now remain valid until June 30, 2026, with no additional action required by eligible Liberians.
How to apply for EAD and travel authorization
Liberian nationals, as well as stateless individuals who last resided in Liberia, are eligible for DED under conditions established by President Biden. While there is no application process for the DED itself, eligible individuals can apply for a DED-based EAD by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security may grant travel authorization to those covered by the DED. Individuals who wish to travel outside the United States may file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Detailed instructions for both applications are available in the Federal Register notice and on the USCIS website.
USCIS’s commitment to fair and efficient processing
USCIS remains committed to adjudicating all EAD applications fairly, efficiently, and with a humane approach. Over the past year, USCIS has successfully reduced the processing time for EADs and improved the overall adjudication process. For more information on application fees for DED-based EADs, applicants may refer to the USCIS website.
For further details about Mandatory Deferred Departure and other USCIS programs, visit uscis.gov.
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