WASHINGTON�Thousands of Liberians living in the United States because of years of civil strife are closer to being deported, as a result of a July decision by Attorney General Janet Reno ending their Temporary Protective Status (TPS), effective Sept. 28.

"An estimated 15,000 refugees here in America who fled the brutal civil war in Liberia may soon be forced to leave the U.S. despite prevailing conditions of instability and social upheaval in their homeland," said John Lloyd, president of the Liberian Community Association of the Washington metropolitan area.

In her ruling, the Attorney General observed, "... Although conditions in Liberia remain difficult, the overall situation is not sufficiently adverse to prevent most Liberians in the U.S. from returning to Liberia in safety." The TPS classification is granted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and by the Attorney General only to foreign nationals from countries with ongoing war or natural disaster.

For Liberian nationals and their supporters the issue is not only safety but the fact that many have "established themselves in the United States, bought homes, paid taxes, raised their children, many of them U.S. citizens," according to Joseph Korpo, president of the Union of Liberian Associations in America (ULAA). Furthermore, many believe that the sudden return home of thousands of Liberians will upset the present weak and fragile Liberian economy.

"President (Charles) Taylor sent a letter last year to President Clinton stating that it was not in the best interest of Liberia, at that time, to forcibly return her foreign nationals. The deportations would create a security problem for the country. This was true last year and this is President Taylor�s position today," according to Liberian Embassy spokesman Tom Siklo.

Problems in Liberia, founded as a colony for freed American slaves, have struck a nerve in the Black community. Thousands turned out from across the country for a May 20 demonstration at the U.S. Capitol representing numerous civil rights, human rights, religious and political organizations, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the National Conference of Black Lawyers.

"Many organizations are in support of our cause, such as the NAACP, Urban League, Congressional Black Caucus, Rev. Al Sharpton�s group and many, many others," said Saymendy Lloyd of the Liberian Community Association.

According to immigration lawyer Yvette Chesson-Wureh, with the impending revocation of the TPS, the Liberians are looking to the Clinton administration to grant Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status until legislation can be passed giving them permanent resident status, similar to the situation with the Kosovar refugees. Two bills, HR919 and S656 have been introduced in Congress by Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Sen. Jack Reed, both Rhode Island democrats, to this end.

"Republicans are not on board in support of the legislation, that�s why it is so important for President Clinton to act and grant the DED," Atty. Chesson-Wureh said.

At a recent White House meeting, the concerned parties made their case for help from the Clinton administration. "They (Clinton administration) haven�t reached any decision yet," stated Mr. Siklo.