The United States announced on Saturday the suspension of all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza pending what it called a “comprehensive and thorough review.” The decision has sparked fierce criticism from pro-Palestinian advocacy groups, who argue that the move will worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.
In a post on X, the U.S. State Department stated that the policy aims to reassess “all procedures related to the issuance of temporary humanitarian medical visas.” Officials confirmed that a small number of visas had recently been granted for urgent medical purposes but withheld exact figures.
According to a Reuters analysis of State Department records, the U.S. issued more than 3,800 visitor visas (B1/B2) to Palestinian Authority travel document holders since January, including 640 in May alone. These visas often allow patients from Gaza and the West Bank to receive life-saving treatment in the U.S.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The suspension comes against the backdrop of Israel’s devastating war on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, leaving an estimated 62,000 Palestinians dead, most of them women and children. More than 150,000 people have been injured, with at least 15,000 requiring medical evacuation abroad.
Aid groups warn the U.S. decision will block access to urgent care for Gaza’s critically wounded and sick. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) condemned the move, warning:“This policy will cause irreparable harm by denying children in Gaza the chance for life-saving medical treatment—a mission that has been at the core of our work for more than 30 years.”
Strong Condemnations
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described the suspension as another example of the Trump administration’s “deliberate cruelty” and complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza.
Executive Director Nihad Awad said:“Preventing Palestinian children injured by American weapons from seeking treatment in the U.S. proves the limitless cruelty of a government that places ‘Israel First’ above humanitarian obligations.”
CAIR further accused Washington of granting special treatment to Israeli officials while blocking Palestinian victims of war crimes from receiving aid.
The criticism follows a recent UN report stating that Israel had killed at least 1,760 Palestinians by starvation, further fueling accusations of genocide.
Political Pressure and Right-Wing Rhetoric
The decision comes shortly after far-right activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer claimed on social media that Palestinian “refugees” had entered the U.S. Her remarks prompted backlash from Republican lawmakers, with Rep. Chip Roy (Texas) demanding an inquiry and Rep. Randy Fine (Florida) calling Palestinian entries a “national security threat.”
The State Department insists the suspension is temporary and intended to safeguard “the integrity and transparency of humanitarian visa processes.” Yet critics argue that the timing reflects domestic political pressure from Trump’s right-wing allies, rather than genuine procedural concerns.
Balancing Security and Humanitarian Needs
Human rights groups contend that the number of visas granted has always been far below actual medical needs, while U.S. officials argue that expanding the program risks political backlash at home.
For Gaza, where the healthcare system has collapsed under siege, bombardment, and severe shortages of medicine, the suspension represents a devastating setback. Thousands of Palestinians awaiting critical treatment abroad now face uncertain futures as U.S. policy shifts from humanitarian relief toward stricter political and security considerations.