WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a move that has sparked outrage among humanitarian groups, the United States has suspended the issuance of visitor visas for residents of Gaza, including those desperately seeking medical treatment abroad. The State Department confirmed over the weekend that the process has been “temporarily paused” pending a full review of its procedures.
Officials insist the halt applies to only a “small number” of visas, but the impact is significant—particularly for critically ill children and injured civilians who were depending on these emergency travel documents to receive life-saving care. Human rights advocates argue the decision is a devastating blow to people already enduring one of the harshest humanitarian crises in modern times.
Humanitarian Pleas Ignored
Organizations such as the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) and CAIR have condemned the U.S. move, branding it as “inhumane” and “intentionally cruel.” These groups highlight that the ban effectively blocks children and patients from accessing medical interventions unavailable in Gaza, where hospitals are under immense strain due to war, shortages, and a collapsing health system.
According to aid groups, hundreds of patients have been evacuated in recent months to hospitals abroad, including in the United States. For many, this option now seems indefinitely out of reach.
Political Pressure Behind the Ban
The suspension comes after far-right activist Laura Loomer publicly questioned the security risks of admitting Gazans into the U.S., despite the fact that most arrivals were children or individuals requiring urgent medical attention. Her rhetoric quickly gained traction among Republican lawmakers such as Chip Roy and Randy Fine, who openly praised her for pressuring the State Department into action.
Critics say this development underscores the troubling intersection of political populism and humanitarian policy—where the needs of vulnerable civilians are being overshadowed by domestic political calculations.
The Numbers at Stake
Reports indicate that the U.S. issued over 3,800 visitor visas to Palestinian Authority document holders in 2025. However, the share granted specifically to Gaza residents is unclear. NGOs like HEAL Palestine claim to have facilitated medical evacuations for 148 individuals, including 63 injured children, this year alone. With the ban now in effect, similar future cases remain in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian backdrop in Gaza remains dire. A recent airstrike in a declared safe zone killed a baby and her parents, further fueling international criticism. The United Nations continues to warn of worsening starvation and the near-total collapse of medical services in the besieged enclave.
What Lies Ahead
The U.S. government has defended the pause as a necessary “review” of procedures, but rights groups insist that lives are hanging in the balance. If the suspension drags on, countless families may lose their only chance of securing life-saving treatment.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.