On November 21, 2014, in response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic, the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for three West African nations: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
TPS recognizes that a foreign state is experiencing extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent its nationals from returning in safety. During the TPS designation period, TPS beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States, may not be removed, and are authorized to work and to obtain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
TPS designation for Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia will expire on November 21, 2016, unless it is reauthorized by September 21, 2016.
African Communities Together, the leaders of the Guinean, Liberian, and Sierra Leonean communities in America, and the governments of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are seeking reauthorization of TPS for an additional 18 months beyond November 21, 2016.
We believe TPS should be reauthorized for the following reasons:
- Risks of renewed outbreaks remain in the affected countries;
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The three countries are experiencing substantial, temporary disruptions to their public health infrastructure that render them unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return of their nationals;
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The three countries are experiencing substantial, temporary disruptions to their economies that render them unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return of their nationals; and
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The diaspora of the affected countries has been crucial to both the eradication of the Ebola epidemic and economic recovery.
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