In a decisive move to protect U.S. national security, the State Department has suspended all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza. At the same time, it conducts a full review of recent visa issuances. The decision comes as part of President Donald Trump’s renewed efforts to strengthen vetting protocols for foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States.
“This is about putting the safety of the American people first,” a State Department spokesperson stated. The review follows the issuance of a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days, raising concerns about screening procedures. The Trump administration, which began tightening vetting requirements back in June, now requires a comprehensive review of all applicants’ online presence and background before granting entry.
"Every visa decision is a national security decision," the Department emphasized in a previous statement, noting that applicants must prove they do not pose a threat and that their purpose aligns with the terms of the visa. It’s a stark shift from the Biden-era lax oversight, returning focus to safeguarding the homeland from potential bad actors slipping through under humanitarian pretenses.
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.
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 16, 2025
The move mirrors growing concern across the West. Just weeks ago, France suspended all evacuations from Gaza after a Palestinian student, Nour Attaalah, posted pro-Hitler content online. French authorities launched an investigation into how she obtained a student visa in the first place, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot bluntly stating the woman "has no place" in France. She was subsequently expelled to Qatar.
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As the humanitarian and security situations in Gaza worsen following the Israel-Hamas war, the region has seen a 6% drop in population, with roughly 100,000 Palestinians fleeing since the conflict reignited in October 2023, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
The Trump administration's stance is clear: America will always stand with its allies and protect its citizens first. No more rubber-stamping visas. No more blind trust in failed international processes. This is a return to serious border and national security policy—exactly what the American people voted for.
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