The US Department of State announced the suspension of visas for travelers from Gaza, as the Department conducts a comprehensive review of procedures for issuing humanitarian and medical visas to applicants from Gaza. In a statement on X, it said, “All visit visas for individuals from Gaza will be suspended while we carry out a thorough review of the processes and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary humanitarian medical visas in recent days.”
This decision came amid opposition from the far-right and supporters of President Trump to the granting of visas to applicants from Gaza. Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist affiliated with the “Make America Great Again” campaign supporting Trump, criticized the admission of Palestinians into the United States with the assistance of a humanitarian organization. According to her, large numbers of Palestinians have entered the country through multiple airports.
Loomer claimed she had videos showing Palestinians entering the country through San Francisco Airport, claiming to be refugees. She said, “The Palestinians traveled from Gaza to the United States with the assistance of a group called ‘Heal Palestine.’ How did Palestinians obtain visas to enter the United States during the Trump administration? Did the State Department approve this? How did they leave Gaza? Is Senator Rubio aware of it?” Loomer added, “The administration needs to shut this matter down before a member of these Gazan families turns rogue and kills Americans on behalf of Hamas.”
Republican Representative Chip Roy also criticized the granting of entry visas to Gaza residents. Roy said, “I am deeply concerned about incoming flights—including those bound for Texas—that are allegedly carrying people from Gaza.” He further claimed that France had suspended evacuations from Gaza after a Palestinian refugee called for killing Jews.
According to State Department figures, the department issued 3,800 visas, including 649 issued in May. The visas were issued to individuals holding Palestinian Authority travel documents and allow their holders to seek medical treatment in the United States. The Heal Palestine Association also announced the successful evacuation of 148 people from Gaza, including 63 injured children.
