Current:Home > MyBiden protects Palestinian immigrants in the U.S. from deportation, citing Israel-Hamas war-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Biden protects Palestinian immigrants in the U.S. from deportation, citing Israel-Hamas war
View Date:2024-12-23 14:35:25
President Biden on Wednesday issued an executive order instructing federal immigration officials to refrain from deporting most Palestinian immigrants in the U.S., saying the months-long war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas has made it too dangerous to send deportees there.
The move, which Democratic lawmakers in Congress had demanded last year, is expected to shield several thousand Palestinians living in the U.S. from deportation, an administration official told CBS News.
In his order, Mr. Biden said the "humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories, and primarily Gaza, have significantly deteriorated" since the terrorist attacks by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, and Israel's military response, which has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians.
"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," Mr. Biden wrote.
Militants affiliated with Hamas, which has governed the Gaza strip since 2007, killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and abducted hundreds during the October attacks, according to the Israeli government. More than 28,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its air and land offensive there, according to the local Hamas-controlled health ministry. CBS News has not independently verified these numbers. The Gaza Health Ministry does not differentiate between the deaths of civilians and fighters.
Mr. Biden issued the directive using a little-known presidential program known as Deferred Enforced Departure, which also offers beneficiaries temporary work permits. It's a program derived from the president's power to conduct foreign policy that has been used by Republican and Democratic presidents alike.
The deportation relief for Palestinians, slated to last for 18 months, won't apply to those who are not already in the U.S., and certain individuals, such as those convicted of serious crimes or deemed to be public safety threats. Those who return to the Palestinian territories will also be ineligible for the program.
Jake Sullivan, Mr. Biden's national security adviser, said the move will "provide protections for most Palestinians in the United States."
DED is one of the ways administrations can protect immigrant groups from deportation without congressional action. The Biden administration has used another, more well-known policy called Temporary Protected Status to offer deportation protections and work permits to hundreds of thousands of migrants from crisis-stricken countries like Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela.
Democrats praised Mr. Biden's action.
"We applaud this step and hope to see further efforts from the Administration to ensure that diplomacy, peace, and security are prioritized in the Middle East," Democratic Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Jan Schakowsky said in a joint statement.
- In:
- Palestine
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- Migrants
Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Based in Washington, he covers immigration policy and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (99)
Related
- Surprise bids revive hope for offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico after feds cancel lease sale
- Ecuador declares control over prisons, frees hostages after eruption in war with drug gangs
- Marc-Andre Fleury boosts Hall of Fame case, moves into second in all-time NHL goalie wins
- AP VoteCast: Iowa caucusgoers want big changes, see immigration as more important than the economy
- 1 million migrants in the US rely on temporary protections that Trump could target
- 32 things we learned from NFL playoffs' wild-card round: More coaching drama to come?
- Cheers These Epic 2023 Emmy Awards Cast Reunions
- Korean Air plane bumps parked Cathay Pacific aircraft at a Japanese airport but no injuries reported
- Judge moves to slash $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case
- Quinta Brunson, Ayo Edebiri and Rhea Seehorn light up the Emmy Awards silver carpet
Ranking
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson weighs in on report that he would 'pee in a bottle' on set
- Eva Mendes Proves Why Ryan Gosling Is Far From Being Just Ken
- Mother Nature proves no match for Bills fans attending Buffalo’s playoff game vs. Steelers
- Suki Waterhouse says Emmys dress was redesigned to 'fit the bump'
- US wholesale inflation picks up slightly in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Bills vs. Steelers highlights, winners and losers from Buffalo's wild-card victory
- Quinta Brunson Can't Hold Back the Tears Accepting Her 2023 Emmy Award
- Ships and aircraft search for 2 Navy SEALs missing after mission to confiscate Iranian missile parts
Recommendation
-
'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
-
Reports: Arizona hires San Jose State coach Brent Brennan as the successor to Jedd Fisch
-
Woman's body, wreckage found after plane crashes into ocean in Half Moon Bay, California
-
Suki Waterhouse says Emmys dress was redesigned to 'fit the bump'
-
It's cozy gaming season! Video game updates you may have missed, including Stardew Valley
-
Jimmie Johnson Details Incredibly Difficult Time After Tragic Family Deaths
-
White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge Has a Message for All The Evil Gays at the 2023 Emmys
-
Emmys 2023: Matthew Perry Honored With Special Tribute During In Memoriam Segment