USCIS Announces Employment Authorization Procedures for Palestinians Covered by Deferred Enforced Departure

Eligible Palestinians can now apply for EAD valid through Aug. 13, 2025 WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today posted a Federal Register notice establishing procedures for Palestinians covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that will be valid through Aug. 13, 2025. President Biden issued a memorandum on DED for Palestinians on Feb. 14, 2024, deferring through Aug. 13, 2025, the removal of certain Palestinians present in the United States at the time of the announcement. Individuals who enter the United States after Feb. 14, 2024, are not eligible for DED. The memorandum directs the Department of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for Palestinians eligible for DED and to consider suspending certain regulatory requirements for Palestinian F-1 nonimmigrant students. The Federal Register notice describes eligible Palestinians and acceptable documentation such as a Palestinian Authority passport or identification card. Please see the Federal Register notice for additional information about DED for Palestinians and instructions on how to apply for a DED-based EAD. USCIS adjudicates each EAD application fairly, humanely, and efficiently on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet all standards and eligibility criteria. Over the past year, USCIS has reduced EAD processing times overall and streamlined adjudication processing. More information about fees for DED-based EADs is available on the USCIS website. Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for Palestinian F-1 nonimmigrant students so that eligible students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the DED period.  There is no application for DED. Palestinians are covered under DED based on the terms described in the president’s directive. Eligible Palestinians can apply for an EAD by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Individuals who wish to travel outside of the United States based on DED must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.