Biden Administration Announces DED and TPS Protections for Lebanese Nationals in the United States

Today, October 17, 2024, the U.S. government announced new measures providing immigration relief to Lebanese nationals currently residing inside the United States.

18-Month Designation of TPS for Lebanon

Firstly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the designation of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. This decision marks Lebanon’s first designation for TPS.

This designation was made based on ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Lebanon that prevent its nationals from safely returning to their country.

A notice will soon be published in the Federal Register confirming the Secretary of Homeland Security’s designation of Lebanon including more details regarding the designation. Lebanese nationals who are approved for TPS can lawfully remain in the United States while the security situation improves. Those who are eligible can apply for temporary employment authorization by filing Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization at the same time of filing Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.

What We Know

To be eligible for TPS under the Lebanon’s designation, Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States since October 16, 2024. Those who attempt to enter the United States after October 16, 2024, are ineligible for TPS. Lebanese nationals currently not residing in the United States are also ineligible to receive benefits.

The program’s effective date has not yet been announced but is expected to be published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks including the application instructions.

As a reminder, TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks to gain approval.

Who is not eligible for TPS?

You may NOT be eligible for TPS or to maintain your existing TPS if you:

Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States;
Are found inadmissible as an immigrant under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds;
Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum. These include, but are not limited to, participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in or inciting terrorist activity;
Fail to meet the continuous physical presence and continuous residence in the United States requirements;
Fail to meet initial or late initial TPS registration requirements; or
If granted TPS, you fail to re-register for TPS, as required, without good cause

Where can I find more information about TPS?

For more information, please check the USCIS Temporary Protected Status webpage on a regular basis for Lebanon’s country webpage to be added.

If you are a Lebanese national in the United States and you would like to apply for the TPS designation, we invite you to contact our office for a consultation.

Deferred Enforced Departure

Separately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new Federal Register Notice creating procedures for certain Lebanese nationals covered by Biden’s July 26, 2024 grant of Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that will be valid through January 25, 2026.

Pursuant to the notice, eligible Lebanese nationals can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

To learn more about DED please click here.

Special Student Relief for Lebanese Students in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status

The government has also published a Special Student Relief Notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Lebanon. Eligible students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) designation period. This special relief also applies to students with no country of nationality, who last habitually resided in Lebanon.

The government estimates that approximately 11,000 Lebanese nationals will be eligible for DED and TPS. An additional 1,740 F-1 nonimmigrant students from Lebanon could also qualify for Special Student Relief.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.

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