Once more, the Biden-Harris government made news when thousands of Lebanese immigrants in the United States were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This choice is taken amid growing confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah, a well-known terrorist organization. With this new label, up to 11,000 Lebanese people can lawfully work in the United States for eighteen months and avoid deportation. One could picture the cheerleading squad of the government bursting in cheers at the possibility of strengthening their immigration agenda once more.
Given the government’s history of importing foreign nationals under the cover of humanitarianism, the timing of this action calls questions. If one can even call it such, the Complementary Humanitarian Niche Visa (CHNV) program has already brought in nearly half a million non-citizens including Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelan nationals. Many conservatives would want to know when it stops. The open-border policies of the government seem to have no end in sight; more of them resemble a revolving door than a well-protected entry point.
One interesting feature of this TPS classification is that it covers people without nationality who “habitally resided” in Lebanon in addition to Lebanese citizens. This implies that, given it fits the narrative of the current government, some people could be cashing in on America’s compassion without even clearly having an origin story. Not to overlook the students either! They will also get a helping hand since they could apply for jobs while maybe spending less time in class. Given your hectic schedule maximizing employment possibilities, who needs academic rigor?
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas defended this action as a required reaction to “ongoing armed conflict,” in what may be considered as either a masterclass in progressive politics or a reckless abandonment of national security principles. However, in the perspective of a conservative observer, the long-term consequences still cause great worry. This not only gives the impression of a caring stance but also runs the danger of letting more unbridled immigrants overwhelm the country. Is this truly the kind of temporary fix we require, or is it only a politically expeditious means of avoiding honest conversations on national security and border control?
Moreover, based on accounts, the state of affairs in Lebanon might not inspire faith in the new arrival screening procedure. Groups like Hamas, ISIS, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are clearly present, and a recent poll indicated that a sizable fraction of Lebanese people had extreme ideas. Therefore, far-right detractors are left questioning how many of these decisions complicate the already muddy seas of American national security while the government hails its decision as an act of kindness. Giving anyone—and everyone—temporary asylum may not be quite the slam dunk the Biden government thinks it to be in a world of growing terror risk.
Given that the temporary status is set for eighteen months, one wonders whether it will be extended when the time comes. History points to a resounding yes; many TPS designations, against their initial label, become permanent features. For Americans worried about law and order, this cycle of redefining “temporary” could simply be another evidence that the border anarchy is far from done. The Biden government’s playbook seems to be working nonstop, and many people are left wondering what it means for American citizens down road.
About The Author
