Federal immigration authorities announced Wednesday that roughly 11,000 Lebanese nationals currently residing in the United States will receive extended deportation protections and work authorization through November 27.
The six-month extension was published in the Federal Register and applies to individuals covered under the Temporary Protected Status program, according to a 2024 government estimate.
According to the Department of Homeland Security notice, Secretary Markwayne Mullin has not completed his evaluation of Lebanon’s TPS designation and the protection was automatically renewed as a result.
The federal TPS program, established by Congress in 1990, offers deportation relief and employment authorization to individuals already present in the United States whose home nations face natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other exceptional circumstances. The homeland security secretary designates eligible countries for periods ranging from six to 18 months.
Current regional instability tied to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and ongoing cross-border violence were referenced in Wednesday’s announcement. Israeli forces conducted extensive airstrikes against Lebanon on Tuesday in what marked one of the most intense bombing campaigns in recent weeks.
Mullin, who previously served as a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, received confirmation as secretary in March following the dismissal of Kristi Noem by the administration.
During her tenure as secretary, Noem had ended TPS designations for various countries during their renewal periods, leading to legal challenges alleging inadequate review processes and discriminatory motivations.
The Supreme Court conducted oral arguments in April regarding the termination of TPS protections for Haitian and Syrian nationals, with a decision anticipated before the court’s term concludes in late June or early July.
The current administration has sought to eliminate most TPS program enrollment, arguing that permitting these immigrants to stay conflicts with national interests.
