NEW: TPS and DED for Lebanese Nationals in the U.S.

NEW: TPS and DED for Lebanese Nationals in the U.S.

• October 22, 2024
• 10:21 pm

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

• On October 17, 2024, DHS announced new measures to provide eligible Lebanese nationals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), allowing them to work and temporarily stay in the United States.
• Under the TPS designation, Lebanese nationals (including those with no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) who have continuously resided in the U.S. since October 16, 2024, will be able to file initial applications for TPS if they meet the eligibility criteria.
• Individuals who entered the U.S. after October 16, 2024, will NOT qualify for TPS.
• Approved applicants will be permitted to remain in the country for the next 18 months and be granted employment authorization.
• If you or someone you know may benefit from these immigration protections, seek legal assistance to understand the eligibility criteria and application process.

Deferred Enforced Departure

• On July 26, 2024, President Biden issued a Memorandum on Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese nationals, deferring for 18 months the removal of eligible Lebanese nationals who were present in the United States on July 26, 2024, subject to specific criteria outlined in the memorandum.
• This deferred action excludes individuals meeting conditions such as voluntary return to Lebanon, inadmissibility under relevant immigration laws, criminal convictions, extradition obligations, and other specified circumstances.
• In line with this memorandum, USCIS has posted a Federal Register Notice detailing the procedures for eligible Lebanese nationals to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that will be valid through January 25, 2026.
• Those meeting the specified criteria for DED eligibility - including being a Lebanese national present in the U.S. on July 26, 2024 with continuous residency since that date - and other relevant requirements, may apply for an Employment Authorization Document during the DED period.
• DED does not grant a specific immigration status but offers temporary protection from deportation during a designated period.

IMPORTANT:

• The protection offered by the TPS and DED will NOT apply to those who remain overseas.
• The extension of these temporary protections are designated explicitly for Lebanese nationals residing within the United States.
• Please be advised that only an attorney or DOJ-accredited representative can provide accurate representation and consultation regarding eligibility for immigration relief.

Related Articles