The Biden administration recently made an announcement to protect Lebanese nationals living in the United States from deportation. This decision allows them to obtain work permits and shields them from deportation due to the conflict with Israel. The Department of Homeland Security has designated Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, granting work permits to nationals who were in the U.S. by Wednesday.
TPS is granted to nationals of countries deemed unsafe for return based on ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. The ongoing armed conflict and temporary conditions in Lebanon prevent nationals from safely returning, leading to this designation.
Individuals approved for TPS can remain in the U.S. while diplomatic discussions aim for lasting stability and security along the Israel-Lebanon border. This decision follows President Biden’s July move to grant Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to certain Lebanese nationals, with TPS providing additional immigration benefits.
Approximately 11,000 Lebanese nationals are estimated to be eligible for protection under DED or TPS. This decision aligns with the administration’s use of TPS in other cases, which has sparked controversy among conservatives. Previous uses of TPS to protect Haitian and Venezuelan nationals have been met with criticism.
In recent news, Israel launched a ground invasion in Lebanon against Iran-backed Hezbollah, responding to thousands of rockets fired into Israel. The conflict has resulted in casualties and significant damage in Lebanon, with public schools severely impacted.
This effort to protect Lebanese nationals in the U.S. reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing humanitarian crises and providing support to those affected by conflict. The decision to designate Lebanon for TPS highlights the complex dynamics of the region and the ongoing efforts to achieve stability and security.