Washington, DC | www.adc.org | February 14, 2024 – Moments ago, President Biden designated Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for nationals of Palestine currently in the U.S. This is a welcomed action by the Biden Administration to protect thousands of Palestinians in the country. ADC has been working tirelessly with a coalition of over 100 civil and human rights organizations to obtain this protection.
According to DHS, this action enables over 7,000 eligible Palestinians to remain in the US for the next 18 months without fear of deportation. The President has the authority to designate a country for DED due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, such as armed conflict and natural disasters. During a designated period, individuals who are DED beneficiaries are not removable from the United States by DHS, and may obtain an employment authorization document (EAD).
Although similar to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), DED is not an immigration benefit, nor is there an application to apply for to obtain it. Anyone who meets the requirements automatically has DED until it lapses or is terminated. To obtain employment authorization through DED, qualified immigrants must apply for the benefit and pay the applicable fees.
DHS will publish additional information about the designation and instructions on applying for EAD, and travel outside the U.S.
ADC National Executive Director Abed Ayoub said, “The ongoing genocide in Gaza has already led to 30,000 deaths, and a humanitarian crisis that is impacting millions of Palestanians. Ensuring that Palestanians in the U.S. are not removed/deported back into harm’s way is an important step, and one we welcome. In addition to continuing our call for an immediate ceasefire, we call on the administration to take additional steps of reuniting Palestinian families through the humanitarian parole process.”
ADC will provide updates on the specifics of the registration periods once published by DHS. If you have questions related to DED please email the ADC Legal Department to legal@adc.org. Click here to donate to ADC today so that we can continue protecting our community.