The Trump administration announced Saturday that it has suspended approvals for visitor visas for Gaza residents, effectively blocking a critical avenue for Palestinians seeking medical treatment in the United States, including children with severe health conditions.
State Department officials stated they will review visa approval procedures. In a post on X, the agency said: “All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review.”
The decision follows a campaign led by right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who labeled the medical flights a “national security threat” in a series of social media posts beginning Friday. Loomer’s criticism targeted a charitable organization that facilitates medical evacuations, The New York Times reported.
Ohio-based HEAL Palestine, a nonprofit assisting Palestinian families and children, had been coordinating what it described as the largest single medical evacuation of injured Gaza children to the United States.
The organization has reported evacuating 63 children for treatment, including 11 aged 6 to 15, who were transported to medical centers in nine American cities during August.
Many of the children suffered amputations or other severe injuries during the ongoing conflict. Following treatment, the children are expected to return to Egypt to reunite with their families.
Dr. Zeena Salman, co-founder of HEAL Palestine, emphasized the urgency of the evacuation flights. “These children could not wait,” she said. “Their lives are at stake, and this mission is about giving them a future.”
Julia Gelatt, associate director of the US immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, noted that over 9,000 people carrying Palestinian Authority travel documents entered the US on visitor visas in fiscal year 2024.
She described the administration’s move as consistent with broader immigration policies that treat entrants as potential security threats but questioned the rationale in the context of life-saving medical treatment.
Loomer, who wields significant influence over Trump administration policies despite holding no official position, said she first learned of the flights earlier in August.
She highlighted videos of Palestinian children arriving at San Francisco airport and shared information about flights to St. Louis, San Antonio, and Houston, alleging — without evidence — ties between HEAL Palestine and Hamas. Several government officials, including Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy, responded to her posts, citing security concerns.
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