Biden decision, no extradition for Palestinian immigrants
1:12 PM EST, February 15, 2024
On Wednesday, President Biden signed an executive order directing U.S. immigration officials to avoid deporting the majority of Palestinian immigrants, citing the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas as too risky for deportations.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
In the order, he argued "that humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories, and especially in the Gaza Strip, have deteriorated significantly (...) While I remain focused on improving the humanitarian situation, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Palestinians who are present in the United States," - wrote President Biden.
According to CNN, towards the end of last year, Democrats called on Biden to broaden temporary safeguards for Palestinians residing in the US, contending that those who were already in the country "Should not be forced to return to the Palestinian territories, consistent with President Biden’s stated commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians".
Temporary suspension of deportations
According to CBS News, the temporary suspension of deportations for Palestinians, set to continue for 18 months, is restricted to individuals currently in the U.S. It excludes individuals who have not yet entered the U.S., as well as those convicted of significant crimes or considered threats to public safety. Additionally, those returning to the Palestinian territories will not qualify for this program.
The Palestinian community in the United States is estimated at 250,000 members or about 7 percent of the three and half-million-strong Arab-American community.
Soruce: CNN, CBS News
