U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senator Cory Booker and 40 other Democratic senators, has sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern over the State Department’s recent suspension of temporary medical and humanitarian visas for civilians in Gaza. The letter also addresses the decision to restrict nonimmigrant visas for individuals holding Palestinian passports.
“We write with grave concern regarding the State Department’s recent suspension of all visitor visas for eligible, vetted individuals from Gaza, including those in need of urgent medical care,” the senators wrote. “We are also concerned by the unprecedented decision to abruptly refuse nonimmigrant visas to people with Palestinian passports. It is critical that the Department immediately reinstate temporary medical and humanitarian visas for Palestinian civilians in Gaza in order to save lives, resume nonimmigrant visas for eligible Palestinian passport holders, and double down on the work needed to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.”
The lawmakers noted that during both the Biden and current Trump administrations, some individuals from Gaza who met specific criteria had been granted such visas after thorough vetting processes involving U.S. authorities and review by Israeli officials. These included severely wounded children needing life-saving treatment unavailable locally due to ongoing conflict.
“During the Biden and current Trump administrations, individuals from Gaza who met specific criteria set by the State Department have been granted temporary medical and humanitarian visas, allowing them to access life-saving medical treatment in the United States. These civilians include severely wounded children who are especially vulnerable and, through no fault of their own, have been caught in the crossfire and forced to endure horrible impacts from the war in Gaza. These children and their accompanying caretakers leaving Gaza to receive medical treatment are subject to strong vetting processes, including by the Israeli government, which look specifically at any potential security threats and known associations,” they continued.
The senators criticized what they described as a blanket policy change that removes pathways for urgent care at a time when healthcare infrastructure within Gaza is under severe strain due to shortages of medicines, supplies, specialized professionals, and overcrowded facilities.
This group requested detailed explanations about why these visa programs were suspended or restricted—including any identified concerns or cases where treatments were delayed—and asked when reviews would be completed so that emergency care could resume without disruption.
“As Secretary of State, we urge you to immediately reinstate the issuance of temporary medical and humanitarian visas in order to provide urgently needed life-saving civilian relief, resume issuing nonimmigrant visas for eligible individuals with Palestinian passports, and refocus U.S. efforts on achieving a lasting end to the conflict in Gaza that ensures security, peace, and prosperity for all in the region,” concluded their letter.
Other signatories include Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as well as Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders(I-VT ), Brian Schatz(D-HI ), Adam Schiff(D-CA ), Elissa Slotkin(D-MI ), Tina Smith(D-MN ), Chris Van Hollen(D-M D ), Mark Warner(D-V A ), Raphael Warnock(D-GA ), Elizabeth Warren(D-MA ), Peter Welch(D-VT ) ,and Ron Wyden( D-O R ).
The full text of their letter is available online.
