Klobuchar seeks reprieve for Liberians

Amy Klobuchar
Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is asking Pres. Barack Obama to grant a temporary reprieve from deportation to Liberians living in the U.S.
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images for Meet the Press

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

More than 30,000 Liberians live in Minnesota as refugees from the civil war in their country. Their temporary status is due to expire on March 31st.

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.

The refugees have been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status since 1991.

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