Washington, DC | www.adc.org | October 17, 2024 – Moments ago, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new actions to provide temporary immigration protections to Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. Included in today’s announcement are details related to the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Lebanese nationals as previously announced in July, a planned new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Lebanon, and eased employment authorization requirements for Lebanese students.
ADC National Executive Director Abed Ayoub said, “These are important protections extended by the Biden-Harris Administration, and a welcomed reprieve for the thousands of Lebanese nationals currently in the country because of the ongoing war on Lebanon by Israel. The expansion of Israel’s genocide into Lebanon has already led to thousands of deaths, and a humanitarian crisis that is impacting millions of Lebanese residents. Ensuring that Lebanese nationals in the U.S. are not forced back into harm’s way is an important step. However, the most important action the Biden-Harris Administration can immediately take is an immediate arms embargo on Israel, and implementation of an immediate ceasefire.”
It is unfathomable that the Biden-Harris Administration continues to provide the weapons, military support, and diplomatic cover for Israel to continue its genocidal march into Lebanon. As the nation’s largest Arab American organization, it is important that all our members in the U.S. are protected, including Lebanese nationals, however it is not lost on us that these nationals are in this position to begin with because of U.S. foreign policy. ADC has been working tirelessly over the last few weeks to obtain this status, and we will continue to demand for an arms embargo, immediate ceasefire, and at the same time more to be done on humanitarian parole and family reunification.
Quick Summary:
- TPS is a temporary protection that allows people from a designated country to remain in the United States while conditions in their home country make safe return impossible. The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country for TPS if the country is experiencing ongoing armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
- The President has the authority to designate a country for DED due to conditions in the country. 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).DHS is suspending certain regulatory requirements for certain Lebanese F-1 nonimmigrant students who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of Israel’s war of aggression in Lebanon. The Secretary is providing relief to these students so that they may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F-1 nonimmigrant status.
- In order to register for TPS, you must file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS will publish additional information about the designation and instructions on applying for TPS, EAD, and travel outside the U.S.
ADC will provide updates on the specifics of the registration periods once published by DHS. If you have questions related to TPS, DED, or Special Student Relief please email the ADC Legal Department to [email protected].
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