DED Palestine: Deferred Enforced Departure

What is DED?

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a form of legal protection for people in the United States. DED is for people who cannot go back to their home country because of dangerous situations, including political conflict.

If you qualify for DED, you can:

Stay in the U.S. legally for a period of time
Apply for a work permit in the USA
Apply to travel outside the USA
Be protected from detention and deportation

DED is temporary. It does not give you lawful permanent status, citizenship, or any permanent immigration status.

Go to the USCIS DED Palestine page for more details.

Who is eligible?

You must meet the following requirements:

Be a resident of Palestine before arriving in the USA
Have lived only in the USA since February 14, 2024
Did not take trips outside the U.S. after February 14, 2024 that might impact eligibility

Who is not eligible?

You may not be eligible for DED Palestine if you:

Voluntarily returned to Palestine after February 14, 2024
Are considered inadmissible under immigration law
Committed certain crimes

Do I need to apply for DED Palestine?

No. You do not need to apply for DED Palestine. USCIS does not require an application for DED. It automatically applies to certain residents from Palestine.

Can I apply for a work permit?

Work permits are available to people with DED and are known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It shows employers that you are allowed to work in the USA. You can apply for a work permit by filing Form I-765.

If you already have an EAD based on another immigration status, you can get a DED-based EAD. If your application is approved, your work permit will be valid through August 13, 2025.

Can I apply for a travel permit?

Travel permits are available to people with DED. It is known as advanced parole. It shows immigration officials that you are allowed to travel abroad and back to the USA.

You can apply for a travel permit by filing Form I-131. Follow the instructions on the Federal Register notice when applying for a travel permit.

If you already have an EAD based on another immigration status, you can get a DED-based EAD. If your application is approved, your work permit will be valid through August 13, 2025.

Before traveling outside the USA, talk to a lawyer. Immigration rules may change and it is important to know if it is safe to travel.

What happens when DED Palestine expires?

If DED is not renewed, you will have the same immigration status you had before getting DED.

If you did not have a legal immigration status before you applied for DED, you may become undocumented. You can apply for another form of immigration status if you are eligible. If you stay without any legal status, you will risk the chance of arrest or deportation.

Can I change my immigration status?

You can have DED at the same time as another immigration status.

You can apply for asylum, lawful permanent status (Green Card), or other protected status if you meet the requirements for those applications.

Where can I find help?

It is important to seek legal advice from an immigration lawyer or accredited representative. They can help you with USCIS applications and discuss questions or concerns. Many organizations and lawyers offer free or low-cost legal services.

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The information on this page comes from USCIS, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.