image sourced from original article at More than 140 House Democrats have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reverse a recent decision halting all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, including children in need of emergency medical care. In a letter sent on August 25, lawmakers argued that the pause would deny lifesaving treatment to children injured during the ongoing conflict in Gaza and urged the administration to exempt these vulnerable individuals from the suspension.
The State Department announced earlier this month that it would stop issuing travel visas to people from Gaza while reviewing its procedures, citing concerns about links to terrorist groups. House Democrats emphasized that Palestinians seeking medical care are already subject to rigorous vetting by Israeli authorities and requested clarification on the national security concerns behind the policy change.
The letter also asked for a timeline for the review process and details on safeguards to prevent disruptions to emergency medical programs. Lawmakers stressed the urgent need for medical care for children caught in the conflict and appealed for a reassessment of the impact on affected families.
