Biden to grant 18-month deportation protections to Palestinians impacted by Gaza war

President Biden will grant deferred enforced departure for 18 months to Palestinians who are currently in the United States, the White House announced Wednesday.

The president signed a memorandum directing the deferral of removal of certain Palestinians who are present in the U.S. in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis on the ground in Gaza, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

“Following the horrific October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, and Israel’s ensuing military response, humanitarian conditions in Gaza have significantly deteriorated,” Sullivan said in a statement. 

“This grant of deferred enforced departure would provide protections for most Palestinians in the United States, with certain exceptions,” Sullivan added. 

He said that people convicted of felonies or who are considered a public safety threat are not eligible for deferred enforced departure. And, anyone who voluntarily returns to the Palestinian territories would lose the protections, he said.

Some Democrats had pushed Biden to authorize Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians living in the U.S.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) spearheaded the effort, which urged Biden to grant some forms of temporary legal status to Palestinians living in the U.S., arguing that they should not be forced to return to Gaza in light of the escalating fighting.

The pressure on Biden comes five months into the bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israeli military attacks, after the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,200 Israelis. The White House has voiced serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called on Israel to protect civilians.