Large numbers of Liberians have sought refuge in the United States since the late 1980s, when civil war broke out in the West African nation founded in the late 19th century by former American slaves.

Since then, Liberians here have clung to a tenuous legal status that has generally been extended year by year -- amid much anxiety for the immigrants and their employers.

Under the provision that Reed secured, qualified Liberian immigrants would essentially seek citizenship under the same ground rules that the bill has created for some of the more than 11 million undocumented aliens now estimated to live in the United States.

The immigrants would have to be able to show that they have been in the United States continuously -- except for brief visits home -- since April 5, 2001, have worked for three of the past five years and expect to work for the coming six years. They would have to meet other criteria, such a knowledge of English and of American history and civics.

The immigrants would obtain green cards and then have a wait of several years -- depending on the number of prospective citizens in line ahead of them -- before securing full citizenship.

-- Journal Washington bureau writer John E. Mulligan