MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

SUBJECT:       Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals

Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.  While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States.

Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States, I have determined that it is in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer for 18 months the removal of any Lebanese national subject to the conditions and exceptions provided below.

Accordingly, I hereby direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to defer for 18 months the removal of any Lebanese national who is present in the United States on the date of this memorandum, except for those:

(1)  who have voluntarily returned to Lebanon after the date of this memorandum;

(2)  who have not continuously resided in the United States since the date of this memorandum;

(3)  who are inadmissible under section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) or deportable under section 237(a)(4) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4));

(4)  who have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States, or who meet any of the criteria set forth in section 208(b)(2)(A) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A));

(5)  who are subject to extradition;

(6)  whose presence in the United States the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined is not in the interest of the United States or presents a danger to public safety; or

(7)  whose presence in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

I further direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred, as provided by this memorandum, for the duration of such deferral, and to consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Lebanese nationals as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appropriate.

The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.