US grants temporary stay to Lebanese citizens amid border tensions

On 10/12/24‚ the Biden administration made an announcement thats likely to please some Arab voters. Lebanese citizens currently in the US were granted temporary legal status allowing them to stay and work for 18 months (this offer applies to those who were in the country on 10/11/24)

This decision‚ combined with a previous offer from July brings the total number of Lebanese eligible for this status to roughly 11000‚ according to the Homeland Security Department. The government stated that this Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will allow Lebanese citizens to remain “while the United States is in discussions to achieve a diplomatic solution for lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border“

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have had to address the conflict in Lebanon and the wider Mideast region during their White House campaign. The border between Israel and Lebanon has seen clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters since early October 2023‚ when the Lebanese militant group started firing rockets in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza

Assad I. Turfe‚ deputy executive of Wayne County Michigan‚ commented on the TPS decision: “This will provide critical support to Lebanese nationals helping to reunite families here in America and offering relief from the challenges caused by the conflict“

The TPS program‚ established in 1990 covers nearly 900‚000 people (as of early 2024). It provides legal status to individuals already in the US from countries affected by natural disasters or civil unrest. Additionally some Palestinians Lebanese‚ Liberians‚ and residents of Hong Kong living in the US are covered by a similar program called Deferred Enforcement Departure which operates under presidential authority rather than the Homeland Security Department