ICE Notice of Employment Authorization for Certain Lebanese Students

On October 18th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a Special Student Relief Notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Lebanon, or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon, 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 Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) designation period. This action covers eligible Lebanese F-1 nonimmigrant students who meet the following requirements:

(1) Are a citizen of Lebanon regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon);

(2) Were lawfully present in the United States on July 26, 2024, in F-1 nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i);

(3) Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment for F-1 nonimmigrant students;

(4) Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and

(5) Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

Per the notice, this action applies to F-1 nonimmigrant students in an approved private school in kindergarten through grade 12, public school grades 9 through 12, and undergraduate and graduate education.  F-1 students covered by this notice who transfer to another SEVP-certified academic institution remain eligible for the relief provided by means of this notice.  Additional details on the Federal Register notice can be found here.