On August 5, 2021, President Biden issued a Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to defer for 18 months the removal of certain Hong Kong residents who are present in the United States and have continuously resided here since August 5, 2021. Practically speaking, this means that Hong Kong residents that meet these requirements may continue to reside in the U.S. during these 18 months and not accrue unlawful presence regardless of their underlying immigration status.
Further, on October 21, 2021, a Federal Register notice was issued that provides instructions for Hong Kong residents covered by the DED to apply for employment authorization, which would allow eligible Hong Kong residents to work in the U.S. until February 5, 2023.
Contact our office today if you have DED eligibility questions, need assistance with obtaining work authorization, or for any other U.S. immigration issue.
Additional information can be found at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/05/memorandum-on-the-deferred-enforced-departure-for-certain-hong-kong-residents/
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-enforced-departure/ded-granted-certain-hong-kong-residents