AP
Internal documents from the US federal government reveal that senior officials are evaluating the possibility of providing refuge to some Palestinians with immediate family members who are US citizens or permanent residents.
As reported by CBS News, various options are being discussed to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, who could access the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) if they meet certain requirements.
The USRAP, in operation for decades, would allow Palestinians who managed to escape Gaza and enter Egypt to coordinate to travel to the United States under refugee status, as long as they pass eligibility, medical and security exams.
This would provide them with permanent residency and resettlement benefits, such as housing assistance and a path to U.S. citizenship.
CBS News has reached out to the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department for comment, but no official statements have yet been issued on the matter.
The American media highlighted that, although the United States has resettled more than 400,000 refugees in the last decade, only a small percentage, less than 600, were Palestinians.
In fiscal year 2023, only 56 Palestinian refugees were admitted, representing 0.09% of the total, according to State Department statistics.
To be admitted as refugees to the United States, applicants must demonstrate that they are fleeing persecution based on factors such as their nationality, religion or political opinions. However, there are additional challenges, as some might argue that they are fleeing Hamas repression, while others might identify the Israeli government as the persecutor, which could spark controversy.
Furthermore, the potential admission of Palestinians as refugees poses political challenges for the Biden administration, as the conflict in the Middle East has exposed divisions both within the Democratic Party and in broader public opinion.
Republicans have also raised concerns about national security and anti-Semitism, arguing that welcoming Palestinian refugees could pose a risk to the United States.
