TL/DR –
The Trump administration halted all visitor visas from Gaza, including those for humanitarian and medical aid, after Laura Loomer, a far-right commentator and Trump ally, posted on social media about several Palestinian children being allowed into the U.S. for medical care. The State Department announced it will conduct a review of the process and procedures used to issue these visas. This decision has been criticized as “intentionally cruel” by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and has led to fears among Gazan families and immigration attorneys about the fate of those seeking relief and options under the Trump administration.
Trump Admin Halts Visitor Visas from Gaza, Post Loomer’s Provocation
Following a social media post by right-wing activist Laura Loomer, the Trump Administration has suspended all visitor visas from Gaza, including those for humanitarian and medical aid. Loomer had shed light on the admission of several Palestinian children into the U.S. for medical treatment amidst Israel’s ongoing siege and blockade of Gaza.
The U.S. State Department has stated it will now “conduct an extensive review of the process and procedures used to issue a handful of temporary medical-humanitarian visas recently” according to a post on X. Loomer responded on X, expressing satisfaction over quick action by the Trump administration.
Previously, Loomer had shared a video featuring Palestinian children arriving in San Francisco for medical treatment. She questioned how the children obtained visas under the Trump administration, how they left Gaza, and whether the State Department approved their travel.
Aid Activities and Aftermath
The children were part of an 11-strong group of injured children evacuated from Gaza – the largest medical evacuation so far. HEAL Palestine, a nonprofit providing medical care to Palestinians, had posted the original video on Aug. 6. The evacuated children will begin treatment and schooling under HEAL’s care.
Once they have received medical care in the U.S., the children will be relocated to Egypt where HEAL will continue to support them. As of August 4, according to the organization’s website, HEAL has evacuated 63 injured children and 148 people in total.
Reactions
Following the State Department’s decision, Loomer celebrated the news and suggested all Gazans be added to President Trump’s travel ban. The move was met with applause by Jan. 6 rally organizer Caroline Wren and Islamophobic Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.).
However, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) termed the move as “intentionally cruel” in a statement. Nihad Awad, CAIR National Executive Director, criticized the Trump administration for “blocking Palestinian children injured by American weapons from coming to America for medical treatment.”
Gaza Crisis
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has maintained a near-total blockade on Gaza, following terrorist attacks led by Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry reported more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the conflict. According to The Washington Post, more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured during this period, with one child being killed per hour.
The decision to halt visas from Gaza seems to fulfill the worst fears of Gazan families and immigration attorneys, who were apprehensive of the potential consequences after Trump’s November win. Their concerns are now coming to fruition.
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