President Joe Biden on July 26, 2024, granted Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for
certain Lebanese nationals for 18 months due to the humanitarian
conditions in southern Lebanon created by the ongoing conflict
between Hezbollah and Israel. To be eligible, the Lebanese national
must have been in the United States as of July 26, 2024, and not
voluntarily returned to Lebanon after July 26, 2024. They must also
meet the general admissibility requirements.
This presidential action reportedly will affect approximately 12,000
Lebanese nationals who are currently in the United States,
including 1,700 students.
President Biden also directed the Department of Homeland
Security to take the steps necessary to authorize employment for
those eligible for Lebanese DED and to consider suspending
regulatory requirements for Lebanese F-1 students who may be
suffering from economic hardship due to the conditions in their
home country.