In a recent development, Democratic members of Congress have urged the Biden administration to welcome Palestinian refugees into the United States, despite potential terrorism risks.
This information was revealed in a letter that Daily Caller managed to obtain.
The news outlet disclosed that Senator Durbin (D-IL), Representative Jayapal (D-WA), and Representative Schakowsky (D-IL) have been circulating a draft letter. This letter, addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, implores the White House to assign Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Palestinian territories. Additionally, it advocates for the authorization of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), which would safeguard Palestinians currently residing in the United States from deportation.
The letter to the secretaries states: "We urge your Administration to designate the Palestinian territories for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and/or authorize Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians present in the United States. As you know, TPS and DED offer temporary relief from removal and work authorization for eligible foreign nationals who are unable to return safely to their home countries or part of a country."
The letter further emphasizes, "In light of ongoing armed conflict, Palestinians already in the United States should not be forced to return to the Palestinian territories, consistent with President Biden's stated commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians."
Last month, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4 travel Advisory for Gaza, citing "terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict," and a Level 3 Advisory for the West Bank due to "terrorism and civil unrest." This was in response to the Israel-Hamas war. On October 7, Hamas, the Palestinian terror group, launched a severe attack on Israel, killing over 1400 Israelis. This led Israel to declare war, a move that the United States supports both militarily and financially.
The congressional letter indicates that Israel's counterattack has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and displaced 1.4 million Palestinians residing in Gaza and the West Bank. It also highlights that thousands of Palestinians have been unable to access clean water and food.
In light of these circumstances, the Democratic Congress members are urging the Biden administration to prevent the deportation of Palestinians currently living in the United States. The letter states, "Such forcible displacement from the West Bank is of serious concern, and we also share the Administration's opposition to the 'displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.' At the same time, we believe that Palestinians currently in the United States who cannot safely return home at this time should have the option of seeking temporary protection."
This plea follows a series of anti-Israel protests across the United States, which have seen pro-Palestinian demonstrators vandalizing federal property outside the White House, desecrating historic U.S. monuments and statues, and allegedly causing the death of an elderly Jewish man in Los Angeles.
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