Trump Halts Gaza Medical Visas After Outcry
Loomer’s posts spark visa freeze for injured children.
The Trump administration abruptly halted all visitor visas for people from Gaza on Saturday, following a social media campaign by conservative activist Laura Loomer, who questioned the entry of Palestinian children seeking medical treatment in the U.S. The State Department announced the pause to review the issuance of a “small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas,” prompted by concerns raised by congressional offices.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, said the decision followed inquiries from lawmakers claiming that organizations like HEAL Palestine, which facilitated the medical evacuations, have “strong links to terrorist groups like Hamas.” Rubio provided no evidence to support these allegations, nor did he name specific organizations. He emphasized that the review would scrutinize the vetting process for these visas, which were issued to a limited number of children accompanied by adults.
Loomer’s posts on X, starting Friday, highlighted videos of injured Palestinian children arriving in San Francisco, Houston, and St. Louis, facilitated by HEAL Palestine. Labeling the program a “national security threat,” she demanded accountability, tagging President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, and governors Greg Abbott and Gavin Newsom. Though Trump has downplayed Loomer’s influence, her posts have previously led to swift administrative actions.
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HEAL Palestine, an Ohio-based nonprofit, expressed distress over the visa halt, stating it delivers “urgent aid and medical care” to Palestinian children. A Thursday Facebook post noted their 15th child evacuated to the U.S. in two weeks, emphasizing that the program provides temporary medical treatment, not refugee resettlement. After treatment, children and families return to the Middle East, the group clarified.
The World Health Organization has urged increased medical evacuations from Gaza, where Israel’s 22-month war against Hamas has devastated healthcare infrastructure. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported Wednesday that over 14,800 patients urgently need care unavailable in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel’s earlier 10-week aid blockade. “Ceasefire! Peace is the best medicine,” Tedros posted on X. The visa suspension has drawn criticism for potentially endangering lives, as Gaza’s medical crisis deepens.
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