Prominent African American leaders in Massachusetts have launched a bold campaign calling on Washington to fully restore citizenship rights and permanent residency protections for Liberians living in the United States. The movement, backed by civic organizations, clergy, and diaspora advocates, marks a renewed push to address what they describe as decades of “administrative limbo” affecting thousands of Liberians who have lived, worked, and contributed to American society since fleeing civil wars in their homeland.
For years, Liberians in the U.S. have faced shifting immigration policies — from temporary protected status (TPS) to deferred enforced departure (DED) — designed to prevent deportations but stop short of granting permanent legal status. Now, Massachusetts-based proponents say it’s time for a lasting solution. “Liberians have built communities, paid taxes, and raised families here. Denying full citizenship after forty years is an injustice that must end,” said Rev. Denise Harris, one of the campaign’s organizers.
The initiative has gained momentum in cities such as Boston, Worcester, and Lowell, where Liberian communities form one of the largest West African populations in New England. Local leaders have been meeting with state legislators and congressional representatives to introduce resolutions urging President Biden and the U.S. Congress to amend immigration statutes so that Liberians under DED or TPS can apply directly for citizenship.
Advocates also tie their call to the shared historical legacy between African Americans and Liberians. Founded in the 19th century by formerly enslaved and free Blacks from America, Liberia represents a unique chapter of Pan-African connection. “Restoring citizenship rights to Liberians in the U.S. is more than a legislative act — it’s a moral reconnection between African descendants separated by history,” said Dr. Joseph Kromah, a Liberian-American scholar based in Boston.
Since 2019, when Congress passed the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) law granting a path to permanent residency, thousands applied, but advocates say bureaucratic delays and lack of awareness left many eligible Liberians behind. The new Massachusetts campaign seeks to reintroduce reforms that remove procedural barriers and expand pathways to naturalization.
Supporters are now organizing town hall meetings and forming coalitions with Pan-African networks and civil rights groups across the country. Their broader goal: ensuring that America’s immigration justice extends to Liberia’s enduring diaspora and acknowledging that African migration rights are civil rights.
The campaign has begun to attract national attention, echoing the demands of African leaders who urge the U.S. to strengthen ties with Africa through fair immigration frameworks. As one activist put it, “Liberians helped rebuild America’s cities and sustain its workforce.
Recognizing them as citizens is a recognition of shared destiny.”
For many Liberians in Massachusetts, that destiny may soon take a hopeful turn — one rooted in equality, dignity, and Pan-African solidarity.
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