The White House announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden has signed an order protecting Palestinians in the United States from deportation for the next 18 months, citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
According to Reuters, an official in the Biden administration stated that this move would make 6,000 Palestinians eligible for the “Deferred Enforced Departure” program.
The New York Times reported that the protection applies to around 6,000 Palestinians under a law that allows immigrants to stay in the United States if their home countries are in crisis.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that following what he described as “the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military response, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza have significantly deteriorated.” Sullivan added that Biden’s step would provide Palestinians in the United States with a “temporary safe haven,” clarifying that anyone willingly returning to Palestinian territories would lose their protected status.
Urgent Need
Reuters quoted Abed Ayoub, the executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, as saying in a statement that there is an “urgent need” to take action to protect Palestinians in the United States. He added, “We see that the situation in Gaza and Palestine is not improving, the decision is welcomed, and we are pleased to see it implemented.”
Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse reports that the new decision comes as Biden faces growing anger over his support for the Israeli attack on Gaza during the elections.
Officials in the Biden administration recently visited Michigan, where a large Muslim population resides, to engage with local community leaders regarding their concerns about the war.
With more than four months since the outbreak of the war, Biden is under pressure to do more to protect Palestinians in Gaza and deliver aid to the region. He is also facing criticism from Arab Americans and Muslims for not calling for a permanent ceasefire in the conflict.
The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 28,500 Palestinians since October 7 last year.
