Photo: Alamy
The State Department announced Saturday it has suspended issuing visitor visas for individuals from Gaza while it conducts a review of recent approvals granted under humanitarian and medical grounds.
“All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days,” the department said in a post on X.
The decision follows recent steps by the Trump administration to tighten vetting procedures for visa applicants. In June, officials introduced more stringent checks, including reviews of applicants’ online activity.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the department said at the time. “The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests.”
The move also comes as other nations have re-examined their visa and evacuation policies. France suspended evacuations from Gaza earlier this month after a Palestinian student was accused of sharing a social media post glorifying Adolf Hitler. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the woman had “no place” in France and barred further evacuations until an investigation was complete.
The Gaza population has declined significantly since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. By January 2025, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reported a 6 percent decrease, including about 100,000 people who fled the enclave.
The U.S. review adds another layer of scrutiny to an already complex and politically sensitive process, reflecting heightened concerns about security and vetting amid ongoing instability in the region.
“Deeply concerned about the incoming flights – including to Texas – allegedly filled with folks from Gaza as reported by @LauraLoomer. Inquiring,” Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy wrote on Friday.
The statement came after conservative activist Laura Loomer shared a series of posts on Friday and into the weekend calling for the Trump administration to end visas for Gazans over security concerns.
