U.S. Suspends Visa Approvals For Palestinian Passport Holders Amid Escalating Tensions
State Department halts nearly all types of Palestinian visas, citing national security interests and alleged support for terrorism.
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed a sweeping suspension of almost all visa approvals for individuals holding Palestinian passports, a move that officials say is a response to ongoing tensions and alleged actions by Palestinian officials. The new restrictions, which took effect on August 18, apply to a broad range of visa types, including those for students, business, family-related travel, and medical emergencies.
According to reports from the New York Times and other outlets, four anonymous U.S. officials stated that the State Department issued guidance to all U.S. embassies and consulates to enforce the new restrictions. The officials said that the suspension does not affect dual citizens who hold passports from other countries or individuals who have already been granted a visa.
The suspension follows a series of escalating measures by the U.S. government. In late July, the State Department announced lighter restrictions, stating that it would not accept non-immigrant visa applications from Palestinian officials.
At the time, the department accused the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) of “taking actions to internationalize [the] conflict with Israel” and “continuing to support terrorism, including incitement and glorification of violence.”
A press release from the State Department in July emphasized that it was “in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace.” This effort was reportedly intensified in late August to prevent Palestinian officials from attending the United Nations General Assembly.
The U.S. has been increasingly cracking down on what it perceives as Palestinian activism since President Donald Trump began his second term in January. This follows a period of heightened tensions and pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. The federal government has expressed suspicion of foreign influence in these demonstrations, and some pro-Palestinian protesters on student visas are reportedly facing deportation.
The State Department did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation regarding the new restrictions.
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