As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues in the region, the Biden administration is considering a significant shift in U.S. government policy.
Internal federal government documents obtained by CBS News reveal that senior officials across various federal agencies have been discussing the possibility of welcoming certain Palestinians from Gaza to the United States as refugees.
This move would offer a permanent safe haven to those fleeing the war-torn region.
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Gaza, a small strip of land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, has been embroiled in conflict for decades.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has resulted in immense suffering for the Palestinian population, with the Hamas-run government’s Health Ministry estimating over 34,000 deaths, more than 77,000 injuries, and hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced. Amidst this humanitarian crisis, the United States has been providing assistance to American citizens and their families in Gaza, facilitating their safe exit from the region.
According to CBS News, the proposal under consideration involves using the United States Refugee Admissions Program to welcome Palestinians with immediate family members who are American citizens or permanent residents.
These Palestinians, who have managed to escape Gaza and enter neighboring Egypt, would undergo a series of eligibility, medical, and security screenings. If they meet the necessary criteria, they would be granted refugee status and flown to the United States.
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This status offers beneficiaries permanent residency, resettlement benefits such as housing assistance, and a path to American citizenship.
If the plan to welcome Palestinians from Gaza as refugees is approved, it would mark a significant shift in longstanding U.S. government policy. Since its inception in 1980, the U.S. refugee program has resettled only a small number of Palestinians.
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Over the past decade, out of more than 400,000 refugees resettled by the U.S., fewer than 600 were Palestinian. In fiscal year 2023, only 56 Palestinian refugees were accepted out of more than 60,000 refugees resettled during that period.
While many Democrats would likely support the plan to welcome Palestinians from Gaza as refugees, it could potentially spark political challenges for the Biden administration. The Israel-Hamas conflict has already exposed rifts within the Democratic Party and triggered protests on college campuses.
Admitting Palestinians as refugees may further polarize communities across America. Additionally, the proposal will face criticism from Republicans, who have been vocal about their concerns regarding immigration and illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde posted on X, “Let me get this straight. Pro-Hamas lunatics have taken over college campuses. And Joe Biden’s response is to consider “welcoming refugees from Gaza”? Absolute disgrace.”
To qualify for refugee status and entry into the United States, Palestinians would need to prove that they are fleeing persecution based on certain factors such as nationality, religion, or political views.
While some Palestinians may claim they are fleeing repression by Hamas, others may identify the Israeli military and government as persecutors.
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