Representative of large Lebanese community calls for humanitarian parole 

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 18, 2024 — State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) commends the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. Over the past few weeks, Farhat has been working diligently with partners in D.C. and the White House to secure this designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

“Yesterday’s announcement of TPS for Lebanon is welcomed news,” said Farhat. “This is an important step in providing protection for many in our community. I commend the administration for this decision, as well as our partners U.S. Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.”

“We will do our part to ensure that Lebanese nationals are welcomed and feel at home. Yesterday’s decision by the administration to extend TPS protections to Lebanese nationals is a positive first step, providing peace of mind that they will not be forced to leave this country or return to harm’s way. We now call on the administration to build on this action by implementing humanitarian parole and family reunification programs for Lebanon,” said Assad Turfe, deputy Wayne County executive.

Under the TPS designation, eligible Lebanese nationals in the United States will be able to remain in the country for the next 18 months. Individuals who entered the United States before Oct. 16, 2024, will be able to apply for TPS as long as they meet eligibility requirements. These requirements will be announced in a Federal Register notice within the next few weeks. 

“These are important protections extended by the Biden-Harris Administration, and a welcomed reprieve for the thousands of Lebanese nationals currently in the country because of the ongoing war on Lebanon by Israel. However, the most important action the administration can take is an arms embargo on Israel and implementation of an immediate ceasefire,” said Abed Ayoub, national executive director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

The TPS designation comes after weeks of violence in Lebanon that has resulted in over 3,000 civilian casualties. Lebanese civilians in Farhat’s district have expressed tremendous concern about being forced to return home, as many have lost family members since the beginning of the conflict.

“TPS will allow us to protect Lebanese nationals who are already in the United States. However, people in my district are still watching their loved ones die overseas,” Farhat continued. “I urge this administration to also implement humanitarian parole for Lebanese citizens. This would provide immediate and lifesaving relief for those fleeing the devastation while we continue to work toward a permanent ceasefire.”

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