In a memo to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security, President Joe Biden announced Deferred Enforced Departure for certain Lebanese nationals as a result of the tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
Key Details
DHS is directed to defer for 18 months the removal of any Lebanese national who is present in the United States on July 26, 2024, except for those:
- who have voluntarily returned to Lebanon after the date of this memorandum;
- who have not continuously resided in the United States since the date of this memorandum;
- who are inadmissible under section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) or deportable under section 237(a)(4) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1227(a(4));
- who have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States, or who meet any of the criteria set forth in section 208(b)(2)(A) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A));
- who are subject to extradition;
- whose presence in the United States the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined is not in the interest of the United States or presents a danger to public safety; or
- whose presence in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.
DHS will authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred, as provided by this memorandum, for the duration of such deferral. The memoradum also asks DHS to consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Lebanese nationals as appropriate.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.