The Trump Administration has suspended nearly all categories of nonimmigrant visas for holders of Palestinian passports, a move that significantly expands restrictions on Palestinian travel to the United States, U.S. officials confirmed to the New York Times.
The policy, outlined in an August 18 State Department cable sent to all American embassies and consulates, halts the issuance of visas for medical care, university study, business, and family visits. It also extends to diplomatic and official visas. While it remains unclear how long the suspension will last, officials have been directed to deny applications under Section 221-G of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision that requires further review before a visa can be issued.
According to the cable, the United States recognizes the Palestinian Authority (PA) as competent to issue passports but does not recognize it as a foreign government. Palestinian passports have been issued since 1995 by the PA’s Ministry of Interior, subject to Israeli approval. The measure will affect Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, and the diaspora, though individuals with dual citizenship can still apply for visas using an alternative passport.
The State Department had already begun revoking and denying visas for Palestinian officials ahead of the United Nations General Assembly this month. Earlier in August, Washington also stopped issuing visitor visas to Palestinians from Gaza, including those seeking medical treatment.
The suspension comes against the backdrop of international criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Nearly two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas have left more than 60,000 Palestinians and nearly 2,000 Israelis dead, according to figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry and Israeli authorities. While casualty data from Gaza cannot be independently verified, it remains the primary source relied upon by humanitarian agencies and international organizations. The Israeli military estimates that 83% of Palestinian deaths are civilians.
Several U.S. allies, including Canada, France, and the U.K., have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly. The decision has drawn sharp objections from Israel and its closest ally, the United States.
Critics argue that the visa restrictions are part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S. The Trump Administration has previously introduced new immigration and citizenship measures, including additional screening for “anti-Americanism,” which opponents say disproportionately targets pro-Palestinian student activists and chills free speech.
“Every visa decision is a national security decision, and the State Department is vetting and adjudicating visa decisions for PA passport holders accordingly,” a spokesperson told CNN. But Kerry Doyle, former lead attorney for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Biden Administration, questioned the justification. “Are there true national security concerns,” she asked, “or is it politically based to support the position of Israel and avoid uncomfortable issues being raised when people get here?”