The Biden administration is considering resettling Palestinian refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. On February 14, 2024, the White House ordered the Department of Homeland Security to defer the removal of Palestinians currently in the U.S. under the Deferred Enforced Departure program for 18 months until August 13, 2025.
If Palestinian refugee resettlement moves forward, the U.S. would provide flights and those admitted would need to pass medical and security screening. Approved refugees could receive benefits like housing assistance, health care, job training, and a path to permanent residency and citizenship after a certain period.
The DED order allows Palestinians already in the U.S. to apply for Employment Authorization Documents valid through August 2025. The President can order and extend DED deferrals at his discretion.
DED has been used for other groups as well. In 2022, Biden extended DED for Liberians until June 2024, providing protection first granted in 1991 after their Temporary Protected Status ended in 2007.
While Congress has created asylum programs, critics argue the legal basis for DED is questionable since many recipients either entered illegally or overstayed visas.
Administration officials cite security screening, but have imposed some restrictions on Palestinian applicants’ eligibility, likely due to vetting challenges given the complex situation in Gaza.
Official data shows hundreds of thousands of credible fear cases and asylum applications have been received annually in recent years under Biden’s expanded refugee programs.