Biden Declares 18-Month Deportation Pause For Palestinians In US

Joe Biden on Wednesday issued an 18-month pause on the removal of Palestinians living in the United States.

The order is directed toward Palestinians who have overstayed their visas due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a memo, Biden stated, “While I remain focused on improving the humanitarian situation, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Palestinians who are present in the United States.”

The memo continued, “I further direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred.”

Biden orders 18-month deportation pause for Palestinians living in US https://t.co/NbqMoFLGkZ pic.twitter.com/K8qeDofkGZ

— New York Post (@nypost) February 15, 2024

Here’s what The New York Post reported:

President Biden on Wednesday ordered an 18-month pause on the removal of certain Palestinians in the US as Israel wages war on Hamas terrorists in Gaza, citing the deteriorating conditions in the region.

“While I remain focused on improving the humanitarian situation, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Palestinians who are present in the United States,” a memorandum issued by the president read.

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Under Biden’s order, Palestinian tourists, students and workers in the US will be allowed to skirt deportation until at least August of 2025, and many will be legally allowed to seek employment in the US.

“I further direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred, as provided by this memorandum, for the duration of such deferral, and to consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Palestinians as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appropriate,” Biden, 81, said.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement that Biden’s order will grant Palestinians in the US “a temporary safe haven.”

Biden orders 18-month deportation pause for Palestinians living in US

— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) February 15, 2024

Per AP:

The White House on Wednesday announced that Palestinians living in the U.S. will be shielded from deportation as the Israel-Hamas war continues, citing “significantly deteriorated” conditions on the ground in Gaza.

Palestinians will be covered under what’s known as “deferred enforced departure,” an authority used at a president’s discretion. The directive signed by President Joe Biden effectively allows Palestinian immigrants who would otherwise have to leave the United States to stay without the threat of deportation. That protection will last 18 months, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, and will give Palestinians who qualify a “temporary safe haven.”

“While I remain focused on improving the humanitarian situation, many civilians remain in danger,” Biden wrote in the memorandum that accompanied the announcement.