Biden imposes moratorium on forced deportation of Lebanese from US over Israel-Hezbollah fighting

Jul 26. (EUROPA PRESS) –

US President Joe Biden on Friday declared an 18-month moratorium on the forced deportation of Lebanese citizens residing in the country due to the serious security situation in Lebanon following clashes between Israel and the Shiite militia Hezbollah in the context of the Gaza war.

The moratorium includes certain exceptions — such as those Lebanese who are subject to extradition orders or who pose a threat to U.S. security — but Biden generally understands that humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have deteriorated to the point that such a moratorium is necessary.

According to Hezbollah and Lebanese government sources, Israeli strikes since October 7 have killed more than 300 Hezbollah members and about 80 civilians. Strikes from Lebanon against Israel have killed about 20 Israeli soldiers and more than a dozen civilians, according to the Israeli military.

“While I remain focused on de-escalating tensions and improving the humanitarian situation, the reality is that many civilians remain in danger, so I am ordering a deferral of the deportation of certain Lebanese nationals present in the United States,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden has also ordered Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to take appropriate measures to authorize the employment of Lebanese nationals whose deportation has been deferred and to grant special accommodations to students affected by this measure.