US grants temporary protected status to Lebanese nationals amid Israel war

Designation will last 18 months to eligible people due to ongoing armed conflict, states homeland security

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new temporary protected status" allowing Lebanese nationals in the US to remain in the country and apply for work permits, as the ongoing armed conflict" in Lebanon continues with Israel expanding its invasion and its attacks on Hezbollah.

As of July 2024, around 11,500 Lebanese nationals were believed to be in the US on nonimmigrant visas for business, tourism, temporary work or other opportunities, with California and Michigan hosting the most. About 11,000 of them will probably now be eligible to apply for temporary protected status, as well as for deferred enforced departure - in other words, protection from deportation. An additional 1,740 students from Lebanon may also be eligible for special student relief.