Current:Home > MarketsHomeland Security grants temporary status to Lebanese already in the United States -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Homeland Security grants temporary status to Lebanese already in the United States
Ethermac View
Date:2025-04-10 12:41:09
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday announced temporary legal status for Lebanese citizens already in the United States, likely pleasing some Arab voters, including in the battleground state of Michigan.
The announcement, together with an earlier offer in July, brings the number of Lebanese who will be able to stay in the country and become eligible for work authorization to about 11,000, according to the Homeland Security Department. The offer is for people already in the US on Wednesday and it is for a period of 18 months.
Temporary Protected Status will allow Lebanese citizens to stay “while the United States is in discussions to achieve a diplomatic solution for lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border,” Homeland Security said in a statement. They must have been in the United States on Wednesday.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have been forced to deal with conflict in Lebanon and across the Mideast in the final weeks of their White House campaign.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza.
In recent weeks, Israel has conducted a major aerial bombardment of Lebanon and a ground invasion that it says aims to push Hezbollah back from the border and allow displaced residents of northern Israel to return.
Assad I. Turfe, deputy executive of Wayne County, Michigan, said TPS “will provide critical support to Lebanese nationals, helping to reunite families here in America and offering relief from the challenges caused by the conflict.”
Nearly 900,000 people were covered by TPS at the end of March, according to the Congressional Research Service. The 1990 law provides legal status to people already in the United States from countries hit by natural disasters or civil strife.
In addition, some Palestinians, Lebanese, Liberians, and residents of Hong Kong living in the United States are covered by a similar program, called Deferred Enforcement Departure, which is run under the authority of the president instead of the Homeland Security Department.
veryGood! (3255)
Related
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Key dates for 2023-24 NHL season: When is opening night? All-Star Game? Trade deadline?
- 'Scariest season ever': Controversy over 'Chucky' unfolds as Season 3 premieres
- Former Russian state TV journalist gets 8 1/2-year sentence in absentia for Ukraine war criticism
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- MacArthur 'genius' makes magical art that conjures up her Afro-Cuban roots
- The 'American Dream' has always been elusive. Is it still worth fighting for?
- Lahaina residents deliver petition asking Hawaii governor to delay tourism reopening
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- 'Made for this moment': Rookie star Royce Lewis snaps Twins' historic losing streak
Ranking
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Pentagon comptroller warns Congress that funds for Ukraine are running low
- Grizzly bear kills couple and their dog at Banff National Park in Canada
- 2 U.S. soldiers dead, 12 injured after vehicle flips over in Alaska
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- New York City mayor heads to Latin America with message for asylum seekers: ‘We are at capacity’
- More than 20 Indian soldiers missing after flash floods in northeastern Sikkim state
- El Chapo's sons purportedly ban fentanyl in Mexico's Sinaloa state
Recommendation
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Lottery club members claim $1 million prize from Powerball jackpot just in the nick of time
Mega Millions heats up to an estimated $315 million. See winning numbers for Oct. 3
NFL power rankings Week 5: Bills, Cowboys rise after resounding wins
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
This Top-Rated Rowing Machine Is $450 Off—and Is Selling Out!
Seattle to pay nearly $2M after man dies of a heart attack at address wrongly on 911 blacklist
Though millions experience heartburn daily, many confuse it for this