On July 26, 2024, President Joseph Biden issued a Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals to the secretaries of state and homeland security authorizing DED and employment authorization for 18 months for eligible Lebanese nationals.
Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a temporary protection status granted by the President of the United States to individuals from certain countries or regions. It provides a deferral of removal, meaning they won’t be deported, and allows them to live and work in the U.S. for a designated period. DED is typically granted to individuals from countries or regions experiencing political unrest, humanitarian crises, or other conditions that make it unsafe to return.
Individuals present in the United States as of June 26, 2024 will be granted DED if they meet certain eligibility requirements, and they may be eligible to apply for work permits, allowing them to legally work in the U.S. There are restrictions on travel outside the U.S. for individuals with DED.
Current DED Grants:
As of now, DED is granted to individuals from the following countries or regions:
- Palestine
- Liberia
- Lebanon
- Hong Kong