The Biden administration is reportedly considering a huge shift in its refugee policy, with senior officials discussing the possibility of admitting certain Palestinians from Gaza as refugees in the United States.
According to a report by CBS News, the administration is exploring the use of the United States Refugee Admissions Program to resettle Palestinians who have immediate family members who are American citizens and have escaped Gaza, currently living in Egypt.
While the administration has not confirmed or denied the proposal, it has stated that it has already helped over 1,800 American citizens and their families leave Gaza since the war began.
Additionally, top officials have discussed the possibility of assisting additional Palestinians with U.S.-based families leave Gaza, in coordination with Egypt, if they meet certain eligibility requirements, including medical and security screenings.
Biden administration weighing measures to help Palestinians (Credits: The New York Sun)
This potential move marks a shift in the U.S.’s long-standing refugee program, which has not resettled Palestinians in large numbers since its inception in 1980. In the last 10 years, fewer than 600 of the over 400,000 refugees resettled by the U.S. have been Palestinian.
The White House has emphasized its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, where over 34,000 people have died since the war began in October, and famine is widespread.
Biden Considering Plan To Admit Thousands of Palestinian Refugee (Credits: Axios)
The administration has stated that it continues to be the largest contributor of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and officials are “pressing hard” to get more aid to civilians as soon as possible.
In its statement, the White House also reiterated its rejection of any actions leading to the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank or the redrawing of the borders of Gaza. Instead, the administration is pushing for a sustainable cease-fire through a hostage deal that will stabilize the situation and pave the way to a two-state solution.
