(TheRedWire.com) – Leaders from the Democratic party in the United States Congress are urging President Joe Biden to grant temporary residency protections to individuals from the Palestinian regions currently residing in the U.S. This request comes through a letter spearheaded by key Democratic representatives, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
The lawmakers are advocating for either Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to be extended to Palestinians in America, providing them with temporary reprieve from deportation and permission to work. They assert that the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territories makes it unsafe for Palestinians to return, aligning with President Biden’s commitment to safeguard Palestinian civilians.
This push follows a recent attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7th, resulting in over a thousand Israeli casualties and a subsequent military response from Israel. The letter highlights the displacement of Palestinians due to the conflict, referencing United Nations data, but does not discuss the situation of displaced Israelis.
The lawmakers argue that although the exact number of Palestinians who could benefit from TPS or DED is unclear, the State Department’s issuance of over 7,000 nonimmigrant visas to Palestinian document holders in 2022 suggests the number of potential beneficiaries is modest. They emphasize that such protections could be vital and allow Palestinians in the U.S. to safely support themselves and their families without the peril of returning to a conflict zone.
The letter, which was addressed to President Biden and planned to be shared with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, calls for immediate action to designate the Palestinian territories for TPS or authorize DED for Palestinians in the United States.
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