In a move to safeguard American interests, two Republican lawmakers, Reps. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin and Andy Ogles of Tennessee, have unveiled a new legislative initiative designed to prevent the acceptance of potential Palestinian refugees displaced by the ongoing conflict in Israel. Dubbed the Guaranteeing Aggressors Zero Admission Act, or the GAZA Act, the proposed legislation aims to bar the Biden administration from granting visas to individuals holding Palestinian passports.
Representative Tiffany underscored the necessity of such measures, expressing concerns about potential loopholes in the parole and visa system that could be exploited to bring unvetted Palestinians into American communities. The legislator drew parallels with the recent influx of Afghan evacuees, emphasizing the need to prevent a similar scenario with Palestinian refugees.
The GAZA Act also seeks to restrict the Department of Homeland Security from allowing Palestinians entry into the United States through its parole program. Proponents argue that such measures are crucial for maintaining national security, particularly in light of the uncertainty surrounding the number of Palestinian refugees resulting from Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
GOP lawmakers Tom Tiffany and Andy Ogles are introducing the Gaza Act, which seeks to prevent Biden from bringing Palestinians into the U.S. to be resettled.
What do you guys think of this? pic.twitter.com/TvRE17T9U7
— TEAM USA 🇺🇸 (@__TEAM_USA) October 14, 2023
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida is concurrently pushing for legislation compelling the Biden administration to cancel visas for foreign nationals endorsing or espousing terrorist activities. The proposal seeks to address concerns about individuals who openly support groups like Hamas and engage in activities that pose a threat to U.S. security. Rubio emphasized that while America is renowned for its generosity, it must exercise caution in admitting foreign nationals who actively support terrorist groups.
MARCO RUBIO: “Cancel the visa of every foreign national out there SUPPORTING HAMAS and get them out of America.”
Do you agree? YES or NO? pic.twitter.com/ElGrapXX3s
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 16, 2023
Simultaneously, some Democrats, including Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York, have advocated for the U.S. to accept refugees from Gaza. Bowman, however, emphasized the importance of rigorous vetting to ensure that members of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, are not allowed entry into the country. This indicates a nuanced debate within the political landscape about the humanitarian response to the conflict and the necessity of stringent security measures.
In response to these proposed legislations, a White House National Security Council spokesperson emphasized the rigorous screening and vetting procedures that all refugees undergo before admission to the United States. Additionally, they clarified that there are currently no plans for new visa programs at this time, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to maintaining a careful balance between humanitarian concerns and national security imperatives.
