Overview

• On August 16, the State Department halted all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza and launched a full and thorough review of recent medical-humanitarian visa approvals.
• The decision followed public allegations from far-right influencer Laura Loomer about pro-Hamas affiliations among Gaza entrants and pressure on Republican lawmakers.
• Laura Loomer celebrated the move and Representative Randy Fine pledged cooperation with authorities to seek immediate deportations of Palestinians already admitted.
• The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and allied NGOs condemned the suspension as dangerous and inhumane and urged the government to restore medical evacuation pathways.
• No findings or policy changes have been released and the scope, duration and outcome of the State Department’s ongoing review remain uncertain.