USCIS Deadline: December 20, 2021 (This deadline has passed.)
UPDATE: The filing period to apply for adjustment of status under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) provision has been extended from one year to two years. If you are applying, you must have properly filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and USCIS needed to receive it by Dec. 20, 2021.
Step 1: Apply for your green card
Step 2: Apply for citizenship
Step 3: Enjoy the benefits of being a U.S. citizen!
📋 LRIF Eligibility
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) Program?
As of December 2019, the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (LRIFA) allows certain Liberians and their eligible family members to apply to adjust to lawful permanent resident status (become green card holders).
Additionally, many Liberians will be automatically eligible to apply for citizenship after receiving their green cards based on the date they first entered the United States. In addition to assisting you with your green card, the Institute helps community members apply for citizenship.
Am I Eligible for a Green Card under LRIF?
In order to be eligible for lawful permanent residence, you must meet all of the following LRIF requirements from USCIS:
- You properly complete and file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, by Dec. 20, 2021
- You are a national of Liberia
- You have been continuously physically present in the United States during the period beginning on Nov. 20, 2014 and ending on the date you properly file your Form I-485
- You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.
If you are applying as a national of Liberia, you must submit evidence of being a Liberian national. Examples of evidence include but are not limited to an unexpired Liberian passport or a Liberian certificate of naturalization.
See the Institute’s Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Information Packet for more information or our frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
☑️ Can an individual apply for the LRIF program if…
- I did an I-130 Family petition with my US citizen spouse / My I-130 petition was denied
- It depends. You will need to talk with a legal representative to determine eligibility.
- I applied for asylum years ago but I was denied.
- It depends. You will need to talk with a legal representative to determine eligibility.
- My friend is in detention but was here on November 20, 2014.
- It depends. They will need to talk with a legal representative to determine eligibility.
- My family member is not here in the US but wants to apply for LRIF.
- No, they would not be eligible for this program. An applicant must be physically and continuously present from November 20, 2014, until they file their I485 Permanent Residence application.
☑️ Do I need to get or renew my Liberian passport for the LRIF process?
USCIS has been requesting a valid Liberian passport for this program. It is recommended that applicants contact the Liberian Consulate in Brooklyn Park, MN. The consulate started doing biometrics in September 2020 and can now assist with passport applications.
Liberian Consulate Midwest: 763-703-5963
6248 Lakeland Ave N, Suite 206, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
If you are looking to schedule an appointment with the Institute, you must first contact the consulate to apply for a passport and provide the Institute with the confirmation that your passport application has been filed. After receiving the confirmation receipt, we can schedule an appointment.
NOTE: If you are applying for asylum or have been granted asylum, please first consult with your asylum attorney. Renewing your passport can affect your asylum case/status.
☑️ Can I get a work permit through the LRIF program?
Yes, you can apply for a work permit through this program.
☑️ I haven’t gotten my biometrics/fingerprints letter in the mail. Will I be fingerprinted for this process?
Usually for Permanent Residence application, applicants are fingerprinted. However, with USCIS office closures that began in March, there are delays in biometrics appointments. Some applicants will be exempt from the biometrics step and some applicants will eventually be scheduled for an appointment.
☑️ How long until I receive my green card under the LRIF program?
The LRIF program is still a fairly new program and it is hard to determine how long this process will take. Processing times will vary for each case.
☑️ I already sent my LRIF application and it was sent back due to “improper filing because fees were not included” or the application wasn’t signed. Can the International Institute of Minnesota help me?
Possibly. The Institute will need to review your application to determine if we can help at this stage.
☑️ I did my LRIF application with a lawyer or somewhere else. I got a paper in the mail and don’t know what to do. Can the International Institute of Minnesota help me?
Once an application has been sent to USCIS, the Institute is unable to represent for the remainder of the process. After receiving your green card, the Institute can assist with citizenship filing.
☑️ The International Institute of Minnesota is unable to represent my case – what should I do?
If we are unable to take your case, we will provide you with other legal resources that are assisting with LRIF cases. If we can’t represent your case, this does not mean you are ineligible for the LRIF program. You should consult with other legal representatives about your LRIF case.
The International Institute of Minnesota is a proud partner of the New Americans Campaign, which supports this initiative.
