The U.S. State Department has paused all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza. Officials say they are tightening visa security during a full review of recent medical-humanitarian visa approvals. On Saturday, the department posted the update on X, formerly Twitter. The post stated that only a small number of these visas had been issued recently. The agency plans a complete examination of procedures and safeguards.
Neither the State Department nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained what triggered the review. However, it follows increased international concern over vetting failures. Earlier this month, France also changed its approach. French authorities halted Gaza evacuations after a controversial incident involving a Palestinian student.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told France Info that the student shared violent and anti-Semitic content online. Barrot said the woman must leave France immediately. He emphasized that she had no place in the country. The student, later identified as Nour Attaalah, reportedly left France and traveled to Qatar shortly after the controversy. The French government has launched an investigation into how she obtained a student visa.
Barrot confirmed that no more evacuations would occur until the investigation concludes. France is now tightening screening procedures for all visa applicants from conflict zones. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are following a similar path. By tightening visa security, they aim to prevent similar lapses. The visa suspension applies to all non-urgent cases originating from Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile. According to Reuters, Gaza’s population has dropped by 6% since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023. The report, based on Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics data, said roughly 100,000 residents have fled the territory. U.S. officials have not provided a timeline for completing the visa review. However, the decision signals a broader shift in immigration policy during unstable times.
By tightening visa security, both the U.S. and France are placing national safety above diplomatic convenience. These moves reflect a growing global trend toward stricter travel and asylum vetting procedures.
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