Biden extends and expands deferred enforced departure for Hong Kong residents

President Joe Biden issued a January 15, 2025 memorandum extending and expanding deferred enforced departure for certain Hong Kong residents. The memorandum cited continuing erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and allowed eligible Hong Kong residents in the United States to remain temporarily and seek work authorization for a defined period. Deferred enforced departure is an executive branch protection from removal, not a permanent immigration status, and it can be changed by a later president. The action mattered because it used presidential immigration discretion to protect Hong Kong residents who could face risk if forced to return.