October 4, 2022

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On June 27th, 2022, the current administration issued a Memorandum on Extending and Expanding Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians (Memorandum). This issue extended the Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) and employment authorization for Liberians until June 30th, 2024. On September 6th, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published instructions in the Federal Register regarding how to carry out this policy.

Under the Memorandum, the state and homeland security secretaries must defer the removal of Liberian nationals or individuals without nationality that last habitually resided in Liberia, are present in the United States, and covered under DED as of June 30th, 2022. It will also defer the removal of Liberian nationals and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia and have been physically present in the US since May 20th, 2017.

The DHS also explained how eligible Liberians may apply for travel authorization. However, until they receive approval, those who leave the United States may not be able to return under a DED status.

The Memorandum extended the employment authorization through June 30th, 2024, for those covered under the DED. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will automatically extend employment authorization documents (EADs) for Liberians covered under the DED. This extension includes those with EADs related to DED with a card expiration date of:

• March 30th, 2020,
• January 10th, 2021, or
• June 30th, 2022

Eligible Liberians who do not currently possess EADs may apply to receive them. However, EADs will automatically renew for those with any of the aforementioned expiration dates, making reapplying unnecessary.

Employers completing or updating the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, can reference the Federal Register notice to confirm that EADs with any previously noted expiration dates have extended through June 30th, 2024. After this date, employers will again have to reverify the employee’s authorization to work and update Form I-9.

As this shows, the ever-shifting landscape of rules and regulations can make compliance challenging, especially when filling out Form I-9s. However, an electronic I-9 system can ease the burden on employers and make completing the forms more accessible. In addition, this system can guide employers to complete and manage their employee’s Form I-9s and ensure secure and convenient storage of forms and regulations.

Automate your employment eligibility verification today with the ensured compliance of I-9 Compliance.

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