US delays deportations of Lebanese citizens due to Israel-Hezbollah border tension

Removal deferral will be for 18 months, White House says

Smoke billows from a site hit by Israeli shelling in the southern Lebanese border village of Tayr Harfa. AFP

Washington is deferring the removal of some Lebanese citizens from the US, President Joe Biden announced on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tension between Israel and Hezbollah.

“While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger,” Mr Biden said in a statement.

“Therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States.”

Sources said that this means about 11,500 Lebanese people, including many whose visas have expired or may soon do so, will be able to remain in the US and apply for work permits.

The deferral will be for 18 months, the White House said.

According to the sources, Washington is working to keep the conflict from escalating further and finding a solution to allow for Lebanese to return to their homes in the south and for Israelis to return to their homes in the north.

The Biden administration is also seeking a comprehensive agreement that will allow for a more secure environment for people in southern Lebanon.

It is the administration's belief that only diplomatic means can bring about a resolution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the sources said.

This same message has been passed on to the Lebanese government, and by extension to Hezbollah, according to the sources.

About 100,000 Lebanese have fled their homes since the war began, in addition to about 70,000 Israelis.

Tension has been high along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Hamas ally Hezbollah has been attempting to split the attention of Israeli forces amid the continuing war in Gaza.

Tit-for-tat cross-border attacks have caused the deaths of more than 10 Lebanese civilians so far, including children.

The announcement comes after Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

Ms Harris, who is running for president, urged Mr Netanyahu to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.

“It is time to get this deal done,” Ms Harris said of the ceasefire deal currently being negotiated.

“We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and I will not be silent.”