United States Suspends Visitor Visas for Gaza Inhabitants During Examination of Humanitarian Exemptions
U.S. Suspends Visitor Visas for Gaza Residents Amid Review of Humanitarian Visa Process
The U.S. State Department has announced a temporary suspension of visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, following concerns about the process and procedures used to issue temporary medical-humanitarian visas. The review aims to assess whether some organizations facilitating these visas have ties to terrorist groups like Hamas [1][2][3][4].
The suspension was prompted by unspecified claims made by Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and ally of President Trump. This decision reflects a broader effort to tighten vetting and align visa issuance with U.S. national security standards [1][2][3][4].
In recent months, the Trump administration has increased scrutiny for Palestinians seeking visas, with the State Department ordering social media vetting for all visa applicants who have been in Gaza since January 1, 2007 [4]. If potential security concerns are uncovered, applicants are subjected to a security advisory opinion (SAO) [4].
The State Department has not specified the duration for which the suspension of Gaza-related visitor visas will be in effect. However, the suspension is intended to last until the review is completed, with no specific end date announced [1][3][5]. During this time, the department is carefully reassessing vetting protocols related to applicants' eligibility and the involvement of organizations facilitating these visas before resuming issuance [1][3][5].
It's important to note that this suspension applies to immigrants, non-immigrants, NGO staff, and officials who visited in a diplomatic capacity. Travel from seven other countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Laos, was partially restricted in June, while President Trump signed a proclamation barring nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, citing threats of terrorism and security risks [6].
The number of visas granted in recent days is not disclosed. However, this year, the US has issued over 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas to holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents, with 640 issued in May [7].
This order follows a review of its recent humanitarian visa approvals, underscoring the U.S. government's commitment to ensuring the security and safety of its citizens while also providing humanitarian assistance where needed.
[1] https://www.state.gov/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/ [3] https://www.nytimes.com/ [4] https://www.aljazeera.com/ [5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/ [6] https://www.whitehouse.gov/ [7] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-for-june-2021.html
- This suspension of Gaza-related visitor visas is not limited to immigrants alone, but also includes non-immigrants, NGO staff, and officials who visited in a diplomatic capacity.
- The suspension of visitor visas for individuals from Gaza is due to concerns about the process and ties of some organizations facilitating medical-humanitarian visas with terrorist groups like Hamas.
- The review of the humanitarian visa process aims to align visa issuance with U.S. national security standards and assess potential security risks associated with applicants.
- The U.S. government has recently taken a stance on policy-and-legislation matters concerning travel and immigration, partially restricting travel from seven countries and barring nationals from 12 countries, citing threats of terrorism and security risks.
