The Biden administration is currently exploring the possibility of granting refugee status to select Palestinians, providing them with a permanent safe haven in the United States. This initiative aims to offer assistance to individuals seeking refuge from the devastating conflict in Gaza. Internal documents obtained by CBS News reveal the administration’s consideration of this humanitarian measure.
Senior officials from multiple federal U.S. agencies have been engaging in discussions about various options to relocate Palestinians from Gaza who have American citizen or permanent resident family members, according to recently obtained documents.
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According to inter-agency planning documents, one proposal suggests utilizing the United States Refugee Admissions Program, a long-standing program, to provide refuge for Palestinians with ties to the U.S. who have successfully fled Gaza and entered Egypt.
Top U.S. officials have engaged in discussions regarding the possibility of assisting additional Palestinians in Gaza to leave the region and treating them as refugees if they possess American relatives, according to the disclosed documents. These plans would necessitate collaboration with Egypt, which has thus far declined to accept a significant influx of individuals from Gaza.
Individuals who successfully complete a series of eligibility, medical, and security screenings will be eligible to travel to the United States with refugee status. This status provides beneficiaries with permanent residency, resettlement benefits such as housing assistance, and a pathway to obtaining American citizenship.
The plans being discussed by U.S. officials could potentially provide assistance to Palestinians who are fleeing the Israel-Hamas war. Local public health authorities report that the ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 34,000 people losing their lives. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza have been displaced as a result of the war.
The Israeli government responded with a military offensive and air strikes on Gaza following an unprecedented attack by Hamas across Israel on Oct 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. In addition, Hamas militants abducted over 200 individuals, with many still remaining in captivity.
CBS News has contacted the White House, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department for comment.
The suggested plans to relocate specific Palestinians as refugees would represent a departure from the long-standing policy and practice of the U.S. government. Throughout its existence since 1980, the U.S. refugee program has not prioritized the resettlement of Palestinians in significant numbers.
In the last ten years, the United States has provided refuge to over 400,000 individuals escaping conflict and warfare worldwide. Surprisingly, only a small fraction of this number, specifically fewer than 600, were Palestinian refugees. According to statistics from the State Department, in the fiscal year 2023, the United States welcomed a total of 56 Palestinian refugees. This accounts for a mere 0.09% of the overall 60,000 refugees that were resettled during that year.
Admitting Palestinians as refugees could potentially create additional political challenges for the Biden administration, despite the likely support from many Democrats. The recent Israel-Hamas war has already unveiled divisions within the Democratic Party, sparked widespread protests on college campuses, and led to the polarization of communities throughout the United States.
To be eligible for entry into the United States as a refugee, individuals must provide evidence that they are escaping persecution based on specific factors, such as their nationality, religion, or political beliefs. While some Palestinians may claim to be fleeing oppression by Hamas, others may point to the Israeli military and government, which is a major U.S. ally and recipient of American assistance, as the source of their persecution.
Resettling Palestinian refugees, even if done on a small scale, might face criticism from Republicans. They have been making immigration and illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border significant talking points for the upcoming November elections.
Soon after Hamas carried out attacks on October 7th and Israel launched an offensive in Gaza, prominent Republicans, including presidential candidates, voiced their opposition to the United States accepting Palestinian refugees. They argued that these refugees held anti-Semitic beliefs and posed potential national security threats.
In the past few years, the Biden administration has significantly boosted the resettlement of refugees, a stark contrast to the record-low numbers implemented by former President Donald Trump. As part of their efforts, U.S. officials have set an ambitious target of admitting up to 125,000 refugees by the end of fiscal year 2024, which concludes in September.
