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

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.

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.

The president cited the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as the primary reason why he invoked Deferred Enforced Departure, Getty Images

For months, Democrats have been calling on Biden to allow Palestinians in the US the ability to stay in the country as Israel wages war on Hamas. WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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.”

The White House official noted that the deferred removal order will cover “most Palestinians in the United States.”

“Those convicted of felonies or who are otherwise deemed to pose a public safety threat are not eligible for deferred enforced departure,” Sullivan said. “Anyone who voluntarily returns to the Palestinian territories would lose any such protections.”

Hundreds of Democratic lawmakers have urged Biden, 81, since last November to grant Palestinians deportation relief because of the conflict.

Biden’s order will not apply to those who are convicted of felonies or deemed a public safety threat. Said Elatab/MEGA

Biden has previously invoked Deferred Enforced Departure for certain citizens of Liberia and Hong Kong residing in the US.

Similar measures were taken with respect to Ukrainians in the US after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of the former Soviet state,

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims that 28,576 people have been killed in the territory since Israel’s declaration of war. The group does not distinguish noncombatant deaths from those of terrorists.