Deferred Enforced Departure

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a benefit authorized at the discretion of the President of the United States that protects certain individuals from deportation and allows them to live in the United States for a designated period of time.  DED is not an immigration status and there is no application process for DED itself.  DED is currently authorized for two countries: Liberia and Hong Kong. See more information below.

The federal government may also allow some DED beneficiaries to work in the United States.  Please visit the country-specific USCIS webpages linked below for more information on how to obtain work authorization as a DED beneficiary.

Immigrant New Yorkers can call NYC's mmigration services hotline at 800-354-0365 between 9am - 6pm, Monday through Friday, to access a range of City-funded immigration legal help.

Staten Island residents may contact the Staten Island Legal Services hotline at 917-661-4500 to speak to an intake officer in any language, Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 4pm.

Liberian DED

On June 27, 2022, President Biden issued a memorandum extending DED and employment authorization through June 30, 2024, for eligible individuals who are present in the U.S. and were covered under DED for Liberia as of June 30, 2022. The memorandum also expands DED to certain Liberians who have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since May 20, 2017. Please visit the USCIS Liberia webpage on Liberian DED for more information.

Hong Kong DED

On August 5, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum granting DED and work authorization to certain Hong Kong residents for a period of 18 months.  Please visit the USCIS Hong Kong webpage on Hong Kong DED for more information.

Venezuelan DED

On July 20, 2022, DED for Venezuela expired.  Certain Venezuelans and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela, including those who were covered under the grant of DED that expired on July 20, 2022, may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) before the registration period ends on September 9, 2022.  Please visit the USCIS Venezuela webpage on TPS for Venezuela for more information.