aMenu
x

Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF)

What is LRIF?

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).

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 the Adjustment of Status Application 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.

You are not eligible for adjustment of status under the LRIF if you have:
  • Been convicted of any aggravated felony;
  • Been convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense); or
  • Ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Liberian National Requirement

If you are applying as a national of Liberia, you must submit evidence of being a Liberian national.

Continuous Physical Presence Beginning on November 20, 2014, through Filing of Form I-485

To be eligible for a Green Card based on the LRIF, you must 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.
Aliens will be considered to have maintained continuous physical presence if their absences from the United States amount to not more than 180 days in the aggregate (total).

Grounds of Inadmissibility

To qualify for a Green Card, you must be admissible to the United States. Reasons why you may be inadmissible are listed in INA 212(a) and are called grounds of inadmissibility.
In general, USCIS can only approve your Green Card application if none of the relevant grounds of inadmissibility apply to you, or if you obtain a waiver of inadmissibility for any ground that applies to you. If you are applying for a Green Card based on the LRIF, all of the grounds of inadmissibility apply to you except for:


If you are inadmissible, the law may allow you to apply for a waiver or other form of relief that can overcome the ground of inadmissibility. You may apply for a waiver or other form of relief by using Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, and Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States after Deportation or Removal. If your waiver or request for another form of relief is granted, USCIS may approve your application for a Green Card if you are otherwise eligible.
Whether a waiver or other form of relief is available depends on the specific inadmissibility ground(s) that applies to you. Eligibility requirements for waivers and other forms of relief vary. For information on the grounds of inadmissibility and waivers, please see USCIS Policy Manual Volume 8, Admissibility, and Volume 9, Waivers.

Family Members

Eligibility Criteria for Family Members

You are eligible to apply for a Green Card as a family member based on the LRIF if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are currently the spouse, unmarried child under 21, or unmarried son or daughter 21 years old or older of a Liberian national who meets the requirements of the LRIF;
  • You properly file the Application with USCIS no later than Dec. 20, 2020;
  • 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.
  • The same bars to adjustment and inadmissibility grounds apply to family members as to Liberian nationals applying for adjustment based on the LRIF.

Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Documents

When you have a pending Form I-485 based on the LRIF, you may apply for employment authorization.