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Thanking President George W. Bush
Sep 14, 2007
Varfley A. Dolleh
 Introduction:
Whether or not it was a coincidence is left for public speculation, but one thing is generally accepted, in the dying minutes of the expiration of the Temporary Protective Status (TPS), we added our voice to the thunderous cries of advocates calling and appealing to the USA President for a reprieve in order to allow thousands of Liberians on the program a respite avoiding deportation. Amidst the state of precariousness, we received the favorable news as anticipated necessitating a commendation to the US President.
Motives for the Commendation:
One of the tenants of civility is the ability to appreciate one kindness and aptitude to reciprocate when the need arises, with the present gesture being of no exception. It is a laudable achievement and manifestation of Godliness for the president being merciful to a vulnerable group of people. What would have been the aftermath if the President had refused to exercise his Executive Power in curtailing the plan deportation? What do we have to say now in the wake of this positive development? Let it be understood that this is a privilege, not rights. At the same time, I am worried that it will be aborted one day if frantic efforts are not exerted to remedy the situation.
Gauging History:
I am a party to history as a “Refugee Case Manager” with the USG Resettlement Program, when the same program for Sierra Leoneans was aborted. In spite of of the Country being an Anglophone Country, despite of the appeals and advocacies, the Government at the time remained adamant by rejecting the cries of those sub-regional brothers and sisters. Many of them went home in the wake of the decision unceremoniously. There is something funny about Liberians, when we are in need, we tend to be remorseful, but the moment a solution is found, we tend to forget as though, we never went through any difficult.
Achieving the American Dream:
One obtaining a visa is not an end in it self, at the same time arriving in the USA doesn’t promise achievement or satisfaction. It is therefore, imperative that we build a positive impact as road model. In recent time, we have seen the proliferation of crimes in our communities in the USA, with the imprisonment of hundreds of our brothers and sisters for unimaginable crimes. It is no secret, the incarceration of many for drug related charges, arm robberies, murders, black money among others. Recently, to the dismay of Monrovians, over twenty-five Liberians were deported for various crimes having served their jail terms. I thought that we would have strived in making ends meet in order to build our native land. This sort of negative development could abort the gains made thus far, virtually ending the leniency in the immigration program we enjoyed now unlike others. With the kind of report card we have, those who are in the vanguard in advocating on our behalf may get frustrated one day forcing our people to leave this Country, as it happened with the people of Sierra Leone.
Concluding:
Amidst the celebration for the reprieve, we call on you to send letters to your Congressional leaders and political groupings in hailing them for the advocacy on your behalf. Most importantly, I urge you to send letters to President George Bush for the humanitarian service rendered the Liberians.
We want to hear your thoughts—Varfley1@yahoo.com or (215)-666-2506 PA, USA
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