State Department Suspends Medical Visas for Palestinians

U.S. Halts Visa Issuance for Palestinians from Gaza

The U.S. Department of State has announced a temporary halt on issuing visas to Palestinians from Gaza, including those seeking humanitarian and medical treatment in the United States. This decision comes after pressure from far-right political activist Laura Loomer, who has been vocal in her opposition to medical evacuations of Palestinian children.

In a statement released on Saturday, the State Department said: “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 move is expected to impact several programs that have facilitated the evacuation of critically injured children from Gaza over the past 21 months.

These programs have helped amputees and severe burn victims receive life-saving treatment in the U.S. The decision was made just hours after Loomer shared social media posts criticizing the medical evacuations. In one post, she posted a video of a child amputee arriving at Seattle airport for treatment, captioning it with: “The Trump administration needs to shut this abomination down ASAP.”

Loomer, known for her controversial views and statements, once described herself as a “proud Islamophobe” and claimed that 9/11 was an “inside job.” She also made false claims about the evacuations and reportedly sent her “evidence” to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Shortly after, the visa pause was announced.

Impact on Medical Evacuation Programs

The decision has raised concerns among organizations that facilitate medical evacuations for Palestinian children. The Palestinian Children Relief Fund (PCRF), which organizes these evacuations, stated that the move will prevent them from providing “lifesaving medical treatment” for “critically ill children” from Gaza.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the health system in Gaza has been in collapse, with hospitals facing a “relentless and systematic decimation.” UNICEF reported that more than 17,000 children have been killed and 33,000 injured in Gaza over the last 21 months.

HEAL Palestine, another organization involved in evacuating children, said it has evacuated 63 injured children and 148 total evacuees to the U.S. for treatment. The charity emphasized that the visas used for these evacuations are not for resettlement but for lifesaving care.

“After their treatment is complete, the children and any accompanying family members return to the Middle East. This is a medical treatment program, not a refugee resettlement program,” HEAL Palestine stated. The organization added that U.S. tax dollars do not fund the treatment provided to these children.

Influence of Far-Right Activists

Laura Loomer has gained significant influence over the White House during President Donald Trump’s second term. She has successfully lobbied to remove individuals from top government roles whom she considers disloyal to the president, including six members of the National Security Council, a senior Customs and Border Protection official, and a Food and Drug Administration vaccine official.

Her actions have sparked concern among advocacy groups and medical organizations, who argue that the visa suspension could have dire consequences for children in Gaza. They emphasize that these evacuations are critical for those who would otherwise face unimaginable suffering or death due to the lack of medical infrastructure in the region.

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

As the situation unfolds, there are growing calls for transparency and accountability from the U.S. government. Advocacy groups are urging officials to reconsider the visa suspension and ensure that medical evacuations continue without interruption.

The State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment, but the decision has already caused significant disruption to the lives of many families in Gaza. With the health crisis in the region worsening, the need for continued medical support remains urgent.