Biden Shields Palestinians in the U.S. from Deportation Amid Gaza War Criticism

Biden Shields Palestinians in the U.S. from Deportation Amid Gaza War Criticism

Edited by:  TJVNews.com

President Biden has taken a significant step to shield around 6,000 Palestinians in the United States from deportation for the next 18 months. Utilizing the authority of an immigration program called Deferred Enforced Departure, which allows immigrants from crisis-hit homelands to stay and work legally in the U.S., this decision comes amid mounting criticism of U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza war, according to the information provided in a recently published report in the New York Times. The move showcases the Biden administration’s response to concerns over the Gaza conflict and its impact on Palestinians, particularly as Arab Americans, once a reliable constituency for Biden, have expressed dissatisfaction.

Under the program of Deferred Enforced Departure, immigrants facing perilous conditions in their home countries can be granted temporary reprieve from deportation. President Biden, in a memo obtained by The New York Times, emphasized the ongoing danger faced by civilians in Gaza after the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

President Biden has faced increasing pressure over U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza conflict, particularly from Arab Americans who were once a reliable base for him, the NYT report said. Pro-Hamas groups have staged demonstrations outside Biden’s campaign stops, chanting slogans such as “Genocide Joe Has Got to Go! ” The decision to shield Palestinians from deportation is seen as a response to these mounting criticisms and a recognition of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

While President Biden’s rhetoric against the Gaza war has become more forceful since the October 7 attack, there has been no indication of major policy changes, such as placing conditions on the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Israel. The NYT report indicated that critics have argued that the war, which has claimed the lives of over 28,000 Palestinians (according to Gaza’s health ministry which is operated by Hamas terrorists) has left much of the territory in ruins, leading to calls for a reevaluation of U.S. support for Israel.

Abed Ayoub, the executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, praised the decision to exempt Palestinians from deportation, citing the desperate need for such measures, according to the NYT report. However, there are exemptions to Biden’s order. Palestinians with felony convictions or those deemed to pose a public safety threat will not be protected from deportation. This nuanced approach aims to balance humanitarian concerns with national security considerations, the report in the NYT added.

In the political arena, some Republicans, including Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, have advocated for a crackdown on Palestinians. Zinke introduced legislation in November that sought to revoke visas from Palestinians and prevent them from obtaining refugee status or asylum in the United States, as was noted in the NYT report.  The political divide on this issue underscores the complexity of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and its implications for domestic policy.

President Biden’s recent decision to shield Palestinians from deportation in the United States comes after months of advocacy from various quarters, including staff members at the Department of Homeland Security and congressional Democrats, as was pointed out in the NYT report. This move reflects a response to the ongoing armed conflict and violence in Gaza, signaling a commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians in the face of escalating tensions.

The decision to extend protections to Palestinians in the U.S. has been the result of concerted advocacy efforts by numerous stakeholders. The NYT report also said that over 100 staff members at the Department of Homeland Security signed an open letter to Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, urging the agency to provide safeguards to Palestinians. Additionally, congressional Democrats, including Senators Richard J. Durbin and Elizabeth Warren, penned a letter in November calling on the administration to protect Palestinians from forced return to conflict-ridden territories. The report said that they advocated for the inclusion of Palestinians under programs like Deferred Enforced Departure or Temporary Protected Status, emphasizing the need for consistency with President Biden’s commitment to safeguarding civilian populations affected by armed conflicts.

Speaking to the NYT, Ahilan Arulanantham, a director at the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at U.C.L.A. School of Law, highlighted the similarities and differences between Deferred Enforced Departure and Temporary Protected Status. While both programs offer protection from deportation and employment authorization to qualifying individuals, there are significant long-term differences. The report in the NYT said that Deferred Enforced Departure relies on the president’s discretion, raising concerns about potential lapses in protections after the 18-month period. In contrast, Temporary Protected Status requires ongoing assessment by Department of Homeland Security officials before protections expire, offering a more structured approach to safeguarding vulnerable populations.

Earlier this month, Biden ordered financial and travel sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of violent attacks on Palestinians in the Judea and Samaria region of Israel.