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Lebanese nationals who are in the United States will be protected from deportation for the next 18 months, the Biden-Harris administration announced Thursday.

The Biden-Harris decision has been criticized for its liberal use of TPS—hundreds of thousands of Haitians have been granted protection under the program since 2021—which was initially created for extraordinary circumstances. Generally TPS does not distinguish between those who are in the country illegally or those who have a valid visa, meaning Lebanese nationals who should have already left the United States before the decision can now stay until 2026.

Individuals who receive TPS may also receive work permits and can apply for a limited amount of welfare and social services. The Biden-Harris administration said in its announcement, "Those approved for TPS will be able to remain in the country while the United States is in discussions to achieve a diplomatic resolution for lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border."

Israel has been in an active conflict with the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah since October of last year. The fighting has forced roughly 100,000 Israelis to flee their homes in the northern part of the country due to indiscriminate missile attacks launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Jewish state escalated its bombings of Hezbollah’s positions last month before invading with a small force on Oct. 1.

The Biden-Harris administration’s use of TPS is a leading campaign issue in the upcoming presidential election. Vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance (R., Ohio) accused the White House of abusing preexisting law to "facilitate illegal immigration" during this month’s debate.

Roughly 1.2 million illegal aliens have been protected from deportation because of TPS under the Biden-Harris administration. Hundreds of thousands of those initially entered the U.S. illegally.

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