Trump Admin Halts Visas For Nearly All Palestinian Passport Holders
The Department of State has put a halt on almost all visa approvals for Palestinian passport holders, officials have confirmed to the New York Times and other outlets. The suspension applies to nearly all types of…
The Department of State has put a halt on almost all visa approvals for Palestinian passport holders, officials have confirmed to the New York Times and other outlets.
The suspension applies to nearly all types of visas, including for students, business, family-related travel and medical reasons, the NYT reports, citing four anonymous U.S. officials. The outlet adds that the State Department has confirmed it ordered diplomats to enforce the new restrictions in guidance sent Aug. 18 to all U.S. embassies and consulates.
The State Department did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
The restrictions do not apply to dual citizens holding additional passports or anyone who has already obtained a visa, the NYT reported.
In late July, the State Department announced lighter restrictions on Palestinians seeking nonimmigrant visas. The Department said it would not accept applications from Palestinian officials, accusing them of “taking actions to internationalize conflict with Israel” and “continuing to support terrorism including incitement and glorification of violence.”
“It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace,” the department wrote in a press release at the time.