Pramila Jayapal, Dick Durban want Biden to protect Palestinians from deportation, grant temporary protected status

The outlet reports that Senator Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Jayapal (D-WA), and Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL) have been disseminating a draft letter directed at Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas which urges the White House to designate Palestinian territories for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and authorize Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) which would prevent Palestinians currently in the United States from being subject to deportation.

The letter addressed to both of the secretaries reads: "We urge your Administration to designate the Palestinian territories for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and/or authorize Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians present in the United States. As you know, TPS and DED offer temporary relief from removal and work authorization for eligible foreign nationals who are unable to return safely to their home countries or part of a country."

"In light of ongoing armed conflict, Palestinians already in the United States should not be forced to return to the Palestinian territories, consistent with President Biden's stated commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians."

Last month, the US Department of State extended a Level 4 travel Advisory for Gaza due to "terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict" and a Level 3 Advisory for the West Bank due to "terrorism and civil unrest" in response to the Israel-Hamas war. On Oct. 7, the Palestinian terror group Hamas carried out a brutal attack on Israel and slaughtered more than 1400 Israelis which prompted Israel to announce a declaration of war that the United States is supporting both militarily and financially.

According to the letter, the Congress members write that Israel's retaliation has resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinians and the displacement of 1.4 million Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank. In addition, they write that thousands of Palestinians have been unable to access clean water and food.

For this, the Congressional Democrats want the Biden administration to prevent the Palestinians living in the United States from being deported.

"Such forcible displacement from the West Bank is of serious concern, and we also share the Administration's opposition to the 'displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.' At the same time, we believe that Palestinians currently in the United States who cannot safely return home at this time should have the option of seeking temporary protection," the letter reads.

The request comes after anti-Israel protests have erupted across the United States which resulted in pro-Palestinian demonstrators vandalizing federal property outside the White House, desecrating historic US monuments and statues, and allegedly killing an elderly Jewish man in Los Angeles.