The U.S. State Department made a significant announcement on Saturday, declaring an immediate suspension of all visitor visas from the Gaza Strip. This decision is set to remain in effect while a comprehensive review of the visa issuance process is carried out. The review specifically targets a number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas that were recently granted.
This suspension comes in the wake of revelations that several Palestinians had entered the United States using this visa program. Over the last few months, the U.S. has issued upwards of 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas. These visas permit holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents to seek medical treatment in the U.S. In May alone, 640 such visas were issued, according to State Department figures.
The State Department has not made it clear whether the suspension affects all previously issued visas or is confined to those granted in recent days. The announcement follows a surge of media attention after investigative journalist Laura Loomer posted a video showing a group of Palestinians being greeted by family members at an unspecified U.S. airport. Loomer referred to the arrivals as "Palestinian refugees," sparking a wave of concern among some Republican legislators.
Representative Chip Roy of Texas expressed his intention to initiate a formal investigation into the visa issuance, citing potential threats to national security. Florida Representative Randy Fine supported Roy's stance, labeling the visa issuance a "national security risk."
The backdrop to this development is the ongoing and profound conflict in Gaza. Following an attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of several hostages, Israel has launched a significant offensive in the region. Reports from local health officials indicate that over 61,000 Palestinians have died due to this campaign. The violence has led to enormous instability and humanitarian dilemmas within Gaza.
Officials from the State Department have emphasized that the temporary visa suspension is part of a routine review process, aiming to ensure adherence to proper visa procedures. The review will scrutinize the issuance of medical-humanitarian visas as well as the security protocols in place for processing applicants.
While the U.S. has not signaled any plans to accept Palestinian refugees affected by the conflict, reports indicate that other nations, including South Sudan and Israel, are considering resettlement options.
The visa suspension highlights the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to tighten immigration and visa policies, especially in regions where security concerns are heightened. For now, individuals from Gaza seeking U.S. entry for tourism or medical reasons will be on hold until the completion of the security review.
