AKPELE & ASSOCIATES, LLC

This explains delays in receipt of cards.

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Who is not affected by the immigrant visa ban? 1. Dual US/Travel ban country citizens. Example A: S is a dual citizen of the US and Myanmar. S is not affected by the ban. 2. Permanent Residents (green card holders). Example B: T is a citizen of Kyrgyzstan who holds a green card. T is not affected by the ban.... 3. Foreign nationals who have travel documents which are not visas(e.g. advance parole document) that were valid before the date of the ban or issued after the date of the ban. Example C: X is a citizen of Nigeria who is living in the US and has an advance parole document given her based on her pending adjustment application. X may travel out of the US and return based on the advance parole document. This aspect of the ban by implication means that people from the banned countries who are already present in the US are not banned from getting green cards through the process of adjustment of status.

Early in 2020, the US government expanded the travel ban to Myanmar (Burma), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. This extended travel ban starts from 12.01 a.m. on February 21, 2020. From the effective date of the ban, immigrant visas will no longer be issued to persons who travel under the passports of the countries listed below as indicated below. The bans are reviewable every six months. The practical effects of this ban are:... 1. The ban does not apply to non-immigrant visas. This means that the citizens of the banned countries can still be given non-immigrant (temporary) visas to come to the United States. 2. If you already have an immigrant visa that was given before the effective date of the ban, you can still come to the United States with that immigrant visa. 3. The immigrant visa ban is not absolutely absolute. People who are affected by the ban may be able to obtain a Waiver which will allow them to be given an immigrant visa. Waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A waiver may be granted if: (1) denial would cause undue hardship; (2) entry of the applicant would not pose a threat to the security of the US; (3) entry of the applicant would be in the national interest of the US. The consular officer has the discretion to grant or deny an application for an immigrant waiver ban. 4. The US government will review the ban every six months to determine if the affected country has met with the security standard set by the government. It is actually possible that a country could be taken off the ban list. For instance, Chad was on the initial ban list in 2017 but was taken off the list in 2018.

The US Government has recently authorized Permanent Resident status (Green Cards) for LIBERIANS who have been in the US since Nov. 20, 2014. Such persons will be allowed to apply for Green Cards until December 20, 2020. They just need to apply if they meet certain conditions. They must document their status as Liberian citizens; their continuous presence in the US since Nov. 2014. Certain crimes may disqualify a person but on the other hand, a Waiver may help.... Children under 21 and Spouses of Liberians who qualify are also eligible. AKPELE & ASSOCIATES, LLC can help. Call 404.250.3295 to schedule a consult (in person, online) to evaluate your case and to assist you apply for a green card under this program. MANY THANKS to the U.S. Govt. This helps Liberians, many of whom have been in the US for so many years since the crisis and civil war.T

Section 7611 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF), allows Liberian nationals and their spouses, unmarried children under 21 years old, or unmarried sons and daughters 21 years old or older living in the United States who meet the eligibility requirements to apply to become lawful permanent residents (receive Green Cards). This page provides specific information for Liberian nationals in the United States ...who want to apply for a Green Card based on the LRIF. This is called adjustment of status. You should also read the Instructions for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (PDF, 614 KB) before you apply. Eligibility for Adjustment of Status In order to be eligible for a Green Card under the LRIF, you must meet the following requirements: You properly file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status by Dec. 20, 2020; You are a national of Liberia; You have been continuously physically present in the United States during the period beginning on November 20, 2014, and ending on the date you properly file your Form I-485; You are otherwise eligible for an immigrant visa; and You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.