Nationwide: On February 14, 2024, the Biden Administration granted Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to approximately 7,000 Palestinians in the U.S. Amid Ongoing Crisis in Gaza. This grants protection from deportation for 18 months and authorizes work permits.There is no application process to obtain DED; those who qualify will automatically be protected from deportation.  

In Response The Central American Resource Center Issued the Following Statements

“The news of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestine is a positive, overdue step towards protecting Palestinians,” said Martha Arevalo, CARECEN Executive Director. “However, it's disheartening that this does not alleviate the plight of people currently under attack in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the October 7th attacks by Hamas, leaving many more fighting for their survival. The Biden Administration must do more to protect the Palestinian people and all refugees. 

Forty years ago, CARECEN was founded by Salvadoran and Central American refugees displaced by war to work towards peace and end U.S. intervention. Today, CARECEN stands in solidarity with the innocent people and families in Gaza who are under constant attack. We condemn the Hamas attacks and the war. We urge those in power to cease fire in the region, to free all Israeli hostages so they can be reunited with loved ones, and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian people.”

“This news is a step in the right direction of the U.S. recognizing that there is an ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza”, said Julie Mitchel, CARECEN Co-Legal Director “It has been extremely disheartening that the Biden Administration has used the immigrant and refugee community as bargaining chips to receive Congressional approval for additional funding in support of the Israel and Ukrainian wars. We also call on the Biden Administration to designate Palestine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to enact further protections for nationals of Palestine.” 

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