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Feb 21, 2009 10:35 pm US/Central
With War Over, Liberians In Minn. To Be Sent Back
(WCCO)
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"The war is over, yes we agree. The war is over. Unfortunately, the destruction that the war left behind still haunts even those that are in Liberia right now," said Yonly.
CBS
Minnesotans who have called the state home for more than a decade may soon be forced to leave. More than 25,000 Liberians immigrated to Minnesota while their country was going through a 14-year civil war. Now that the war is over, their legal status in the country is running out.
Years ago, Washington Yonly's wife and parents became casualties of Liberia's civil war, so he left his war-torn homeland and began a new life in the Twin Cities. He remarried, bought a home in Brooklyn Park, and got a job at a medical assembly plant in Plymouth.
But a month from now, he may have to leave all of that behind. The war is over, and Yonly is being asked to return to Liberia.
"For me, I have no more home. Because normally a home is supposed to be considered a house, like this, that you live in, and there is nothing there for me," said Yonly.
Yonly is one of about 1,000 Liberians who fled the country and received temporary protective status here in Minnesota. That status is set to expire March 31.
"The war is over, yes we agree. The war is over. Unfortunately, the destruction that the war left behind still haunts even those that are in Liberia right now," said Yonly.
Besides leaving his new life behind, Yonly is worried about what he would return to. The war destroyed thousands of homes and there is no running water in many parts of the country. Transportation is also hard to come by as many roadways have been destroyed.
Yonly said he works and pays taxes in the U.S. and the Liberia he used to know is long gone. His only chance of staying here is an executive order from President Barack Obama, so he is doing what he can to make his voice heard.
"You have to speak out. Instead of sitting down and waiting for something magical to happen," said Yonly.
The Organization of Liberians in Minnesota is trying to get an extension on the March 31 deadline. They are also pushing for legislation that would make Yonly and other Liberians permanent citizens of the United States.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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