Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals

President Biden directed the deferral of removal of Lebanese nationals present in the U.S. for 18 months due to deteriorating humanitarian conditions from Hezbollah-Israel tensions. The memorandum also authorizes employment for deferred individuals and allows consideration of suspending regulatory requirements for F-1 student visa holders who are Lebanese nationals.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 61341

Impact dates

Jan 26, 2026
18-month deferral of removal expires

Key directives

Defer for 18 months the removal of Lebanese nationals present in the U.S. on July 26, 2024
Authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred for the duration of deferral
Consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Lebanese nationals
Publish memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Deferral of removal takes effect for Lebanese nationals present in the U.S. on July 26, 2024
Employment authorization for deferred individuals begins

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Homeland Security to consider suspending regulatory requirements for F-1 students
Federal Register publication of memorandum

Long term

18-month deferral period expires around January 26, 2026
Potential need for renewal or alternative immigration status for affected individuals

Risks & tensions

Exclusions for security risks and foreign policy concerns (sections 3-7) create implementation discretion that could be politically contested
F-1 student regulatory suspension language is permissive ('consider') rather than mandatory, creating uncertainty
Duration tied to volatile geopolitical situation in southern Lebanon; may require extension or termination based on conditions