- US Refugee Admissions Program could remove some Palestinians from Gaza
- Senior Biden officials have discussed resettling some Palestinians
- Family members of US citizens and permanent residents could be considered
The Biden administration is considering allowing some Palestinians to come to live in the United States as refugees.
CBS News reported Tuesday that senior officials from several federal agencies have discussed how to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, potentially using the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
Those chosen would have to have immediate family members who are US citizens or permanent residents.
They would have to pass a series of eligibility, medical and security exams, but could then get resettlement benefits, including housing assistance and a path to U.S. citizenship.
If the administration moves forward with this plan, it would mark a major shift in American policy.
President Joe Biden leaves for Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday. Senior Biden administration officials have discussed the possibility of bringing Palestinians with American ties to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Tents housing displaced Palestinians are shown behind barbed wire in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Palestinians with ties to the United States would be vetted, but would then have access to housing benefits and a path to American citizenship.
The White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department did not immediately respond to CBS’ request for comment.
Since its creation in 1980, the US Refugee Admissions Program has not resettled large numbers of Palestinians.
In the last 10 years, although the United States has allowed in 400,000 refugees, fewer than 600 were Palestinians.
Last year, only 56 Palestinians were incorporated through this program, and more than 60,000 refugees were offered resettlement benefits, State Department figures show.
The move would get Palestinian civilians with connections to the United States out of harm’s way as Israel continues to bomb Gaza to root out Hamas after the terrorist group killed more than 1,200 and took hundreds hostage on Oct. 7.
The move could give Biden a political boost among members of his own party, as left-wing Democrats have pressured the president to do more to stop Israel’s killing of Palestinian civilians.
The war between Israel and Hamas has dramatically fractured the Democratic Party, and large-scale student protests have raised concerns that Biden will lose support among young voters unless he does more to help the plight of the Palestinians.
An elderly Palestinian sits in front of her makeshift home in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Palestinians with strong ties to the United States will soon be able to apply for resettlement in the states
Light illuminates the minarets of the al-Taiba mosque at dusk before the tents of displaced Palestinians in a camp in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday.
Republicans, however, will likely use the move to criticize Biden, whom they have already criticized over his immigration and having an “open borders” policy.
The Biden administration would also need to obtain Egypt’s cooperation for the plan to work.
Egypt has so far not allowed large numbers of Palestinians to cross its border.
More aid trucks have been allowed into Gaza in recent days, but experts have warned that the threat of famine in the area is imminent.
Biden pressed Israel to open more aid routes after the murder of seven workers at World Central Kitchen, the group founded by Spanish-American celebrity chef José Andrés.
