The Biden-Harris administration has recently granted thousands of Lebanese nationals residing in America a protective status, offering them work authorization and a shield against deportation.
This move comes as the conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist group escalates, making it unsafe for these individuals to return to their homeland.
According to the Daily Caller, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed in a press release that Lebanese nationals currently living in the U.S. will be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This new designation, set to last for 18 months, will provide up to 11,000 Lebanese with work authorization and a temporary reprieve from returning to their home country.
This decision aligns with the Biden-Harris administration's ongoing efforts to bring foreign nationals into the U.S. on largely humanitarian grounds. The CHNV program, which caters to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, has allowed more than half a million non-citizens into the U.S. since its inception, as reported by DHS.
The White House has also permitted approximately 77,000 Afghan nationals to enter the U.S. following its flawed military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. A watchdog report revealed that many of these individuals were not adequately vetted.
The DHS statement reads, After consultation with interagency partners, Secretary Mayorkas is announcing a new TPS designation for Lebanon for 18 months due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Lebanon that prevent nationals of Lebanon from returning in safety. It further states that those approved for TPS will be able to remain in the U.S. while diplomatic discussions are underway to achieve lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has escalated since the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, with Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based terrorist organization, intensifying attacks against Israel. This has led Israeli forces to initiate a ground operation in the country.
The State Department has confirmed the presence of Hamas, ISIS, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Lebanon. A survey conducted by a Lebanese newspaper found that approximately 80% of the population supported the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre against Israelis, suggesting that extremist views may be prevalent among everyday Lebanese.
DHS has the authority to designate TPS for a foreign nation experiencing conflict or any type of humanitarian disaster, preventing their citizens in the U.S. from returning home safely. Currently, 16 countries have unexpired TPS, resulting in approximately 860,000 non-citizens with TPS residing in the U.S., according to the American Immigration Council.
President Joe Biden had been under increasing pressure from congressional Democrats to grant TPS to Lebanese nationals and to provide details on Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) for them. These details were also revealed by DHS on Thursday.
The TPS designation applies not only to Lebanese nationals living in the U.S. since Wednesday but also to individuals with no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon. The administration is also providing relief to Lebanese students in the U.S., allowing them to apply for work and take fewer school hours.
DHS estimates that around 11,000 Lebanese will be eligible for TPS and DED, and another 1,700 Lebanese students may be eligible for student relief.
While this temporary status designation is set to last for 18 months, it remains uncertain whether the designation will be renewed. TPS has been criticized for being temporary in name only, with numerous countries having their TPS designation extended repeatedly over the years. This raises questions about the long-term implications of such policies and their impact on the U.S. immigration system and national security.
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