March 23, 2000

The Hon. Senator Paul Wellstone
136 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Wellstone:

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota urges your support of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1999 (S. 656). This Act would provide relief and protection for some 15,000 Liberian civil war refugees and their families now residing in the United States--a good many of them in Minnesota.

Since March of 1991, over 10,000 Liberian civil war refugees have resided in the United States. Recently, they were granted an extension of their temporary exclusion from deportation when President Clinton ordered the Attorney General to defer their enforced departure. Granted for one year, the order is set to expire in September of this year.

Against this general background, legislation has been introduced by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) to adjust the status of certain Liberian nationals to that of lawful permanent residence. We strongly support Senator Reed's proposed legislation, S. 656. We view this bill as being vital to the basic protection of and fairness towards Liberian civil war refugees.

The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1999 would protect Liberian refugees and their families from being forcibly returned to a nation where their life and freedom may still be threatened. Even the Human Rights reports from the U.S. Department of State and Amnesty International have called attention to the continuing pattern of abuses against citizens by the Liberian government. Additionally, the legislation would protect against the dissolution of families as Liberian parents are forced to choose between leaving their American born children in the U.S. or taking them back to Liberia if they are deported. Further, after nearly a decade of living in the U.S., Liberians (including a great many in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area--a number of whom are employed by LSS) have established real ties in their local communities. Enforced deportation would simply be wrong. Finally, it is imperative that Liberian civil war refugees be accorded the same favorable treatment as other refugee groups seeking relief in the United States.

We remain appreciative to Congress for its continued attention paid to the general issue of immigration relief for those in need, and we trust the same will be devoted to the Liberians. LSS, and the Lutheran community in Minnesota, have a proud 50-year history of leadership in working to provide home and shelter, and a new start, in our state for refugees from the world's wars and violence. What a great and diverse society is being built in this state by these new neighbors and friends!

I appreciate your consideration of these comments.

Sincerely,


Mark A. Peterson
President and CEO

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