U S pauses Gaza visas

State Department move comes as Israel’s war and induced famine in Gaza reach new extremes, with 61,827 killed so far.

US suspends visas for Gaza residents after right-wing social media storm

On Saturday the U.S. State Department paused all visitor visas for people from Gaza while officials review the procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical humanitarian visas in recent days. The action comes as Israel’s war on Gaza intensifies and warnings of famine rise, with the UN describing a growing humanitarian crisis. The department did not specify how many visas were affected.

The decision followed social media posts by right-wing advocates alleging Gazan arrivals in several states this month and prompted questions from lawmakers about national security. Laura Loomer, a Trump ally, published posts claiming Gazans entered cities such as San Francisco and Houston and that senators and congress members contacted her in anger.

This episode shows how online pressure can push policy quickly, even when full facts are not established. A targeted pause can be seen as a precaution, but it risks punishing people who seek medical care and could complicate humanitarian relief.

The move also tests the balance between safety and openness in a country built on welcoming people in need. If policy decisions become dependent on social media storms, trust in bureaucratic processes may erode and the next crisis could see similar actions. It raises questions about how to maintain due process while addressing security concerns and how to explain such moves to a public already grieving for Gaza.

Highlights

Policy work remains ongoing and will test how quickly security needs can be balanced with humanitarian duties.