USCIS Announces Employment Authorization Procedures for Liberians Covered by Deferred Enforced Departure

Eligible Liberians can now apply for an EAD valid through June 30, 2026

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today posted a Federal Register notice establishing procedures for Liberians covered by Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for Employment Authorization Documents that will be valid through June 30, 2026.

President Joe Biden issued a memorandum on DED for Liberians on June 28, 2024, deferring through June 30, 2026, the removal of certain Liberians who were eligible for DED under the president’s 2022 memorandum, including individuals who have been continuously present in the United States since May 20, 2017.

Through this Federal Register notice, USCIS is automatically extending through June 30, 2026, the validity of DED-related EADs bearing a Category Code of A11 and a Card Expires date of March 30, 2020; Jan. 10, 2021; June 30, 2022; or June 30, 2024.

There is no application for DED. Nationals of Liberia, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, are covered under DED based on the terms described in the president’s directive. The Department of Homeland Security may provide travel authorization at its discretion to those covered under DED for Liberians. Individuals who wish to travel outside of the United States may file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Individuals can also apply for an EAD by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The Federal Register notice provides additional information about DED for Liberia and how eligible individuals may apply for a DED-based EAD or travel authorization.

USCIS adjudicates each EAD application fairly, humanely, and efficiently on a case-by-case basis to determine if applicants meet all standards and eligibility criteria. Over the past year, USCIS has reduced EAD processing times overall and streamlined the adjudication process. More information about fees for DED-based EADs is available on the USCIS website.

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