Washington, DC — Liberians living in the United States under 'temporary protected status' will be allowed to stay for another year, according to an executive order signed by President Barack Obama on Friday.

Some 3,600 Liberians living in the United States - out of an estimated 250,000 - are affected by the decision.

"I am pleased that the President has acted to preserve their status here, preventing a grave injustice," said Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (Democrat – Rhode Island) in a statement after being informed of the decision by the White House. He said Liberians in the United States, including up to 15,000 in Rhode Island, "have contributed to our society for more than a decade, becoming active members of our communities and providing for their families."

Also welcoming the move was Rhode Island's senior senator, Jack Reed (Democrat): "This extension will prevent thousands of Liberians from being separated from their families and deported back to a country still rife with economic, social and political tensions."

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was established in 1990 to allow nationals of countries at war to stay in the United States without fear of deportation. Those registered under TPS are allowed to work and required to pay taxes, but they cannot qualify for benefits such as welfare or food stamps.

Throughout the 1990s, during ongoing unrest in Liberia, the U.S. government extended TPS every year. Continuing instability prompted the Clinton and Bush administrations to defer deportations annually for three more years until TPS was formally reinstated in October 2002 after full-scale fighting resumed throughout Liberia. The most recent 18-month extension, signed by President George W. Bush in October 2007, was due to expire on March 31.

Kennedy said the latest extension "allows us to continue the fight for a path to permanent citizenship for Liberians still living on TPS."