State Department Suspends Medical-Humanitarian Visas for Gaza Residents: What You Need to Know

The U.S. State Department has paused all visitor visas for people from Gaza. They announced this decision on social media, citing the need for a thorough review of how medical-humanitarian visas are granted.

The exact number of visas issued recently is unclear, but the State Department referred to it as a “small number.” Ohio’s HEAL Palestine is the main group facilitating the evacuation of injured individuals, mostly children, to the U.S. for medical care. According to their website, they have evacuated 148 people, including 63 children, from Gaza.

Recently, the organization brought 11 critically injured children, aged 6 to 15, along with family members to cities like Boston, Atlanta, and Dallas for treatment. This led far-right activist Laura Loomer to claim, without evidence, that HEAL Palestine was “mass importing GAZANS into the US” under the banner of humanitarian aid.

Loomer went on to call for government action against HEAL Palestine and requested that the Trump administration intervene. She later credited her influence for the State Department’s decision to halt the visa program.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), criticized the pause, saying it threatens the lives of more children. He believes the U.S. has a moral responsibility to provide medical assistance to those in need.

As of now, it is uncertain how long the review will take. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, over 60,000 Palestinians have died, leading to severe food shortages. According to a UN-backed report, nearly 100,000 women and children in Gaza require immediate treatment for severe malnutrition, while about a third of the 2.1 million people in the territory have gone days without food.

In today’s social media climate, reactions to these issues are mixed. Posts discussing the humanitarian crisis have gone viral, sparking debates on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Expert opinions highlight the urgent need for more aid rather than restrictive policies.

It’s clear that the situation requires compassionate responses instead of actions that may further endanger vulnerable populations.



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