US Judge Blocks Move to End Syrian Protections, While The US Bombs Syria
This mainstream account from The New Arab highlights a federal judge preventing the Trump administration's attempt to revoke deportation protections and work permits for over 6,100 Syrians. A win, perhaps. Yet, this news lands amidst an enduring- (and largely underreported) US military presence in Syria, which regularly conducts strikes. For example, in March 2023, the Biden administration
launched airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting Iran-backed groups, allegedly in retaliation for an attack on a US base. (Funny how 'retaliation' almost always means more bombs.) So, Washington can't decide if Syrians are too imperiled to deport, or resilient enough to endure more US-launched ordnance. One might politely inquire: is the US committed to preventing Syrians from fleeing violence or
just ensuring they flee *select* violence? It appears 'humanitarian concern' is highly performative when directly followed by military action in the same geographic region. How many judge's orders does it take to get consistent foreign policy?