Biden defers expulsion of Lebanese on deportation list

US President Joe Biden on Friday issued an order deferring enforced departure of Lebanese nationals, given the current extraordinary conditions in the Mediterranean country. Biden, in a memo addressed to the secretariate of foreign affairs and homeland security, stated that humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated .. While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States. "Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States, I have determined that it is in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer for 18 months the removal of any Lebanese national subject to the conditions and exceptions provided below. Accordingly, I hereby direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to defer for 18 months the removal o f any Lebanese national who is present in the United States on the date of this memorandum, except for some cases. Source: Kuwait News Agency