Temporary Citizens: U.S. Immigration Law and Liberian Refugees

Section 244 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act provides temporary legal residency to nationals of designated countries residing in the United States who cannot return to their home country due to armed conflict, natural disaster, or other temporary devastating conditions. In most cases Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is temporary, lasting no more than 2 years. In other cases, particularly for Liberia, TPS status has lasted almost 20 years. This article will examine the consequences of protracted TPS status for Liberians in the United States, as well as place the issue within emerging theoretical frameworks of globalizing citizenship.