U.S. Suspends Visitor Visas for Gaza Residents
By STEPHANIE KEITH
Aug. 17, 2025 — Updated 57 minutes ago
Background of the Suspension
The U.S. government announced Saturday it is suspending visitor visas for residents of Gaza after a high-profile online call to curb medical travel by wounded Palestinians.
Influence of Social Media Campaign
The request came from Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer and conspiracy theorist who has been described as having influence with former President Donald Trump. Her social media post urged officials to stop granting visas to Gazans seeking treatment in the United States.
Official Response and Uncertainty
U.S. officials said the suspension affects visitor visas for Gazans; they linked the action to the public controversy that followed the influencer’s post. The administration did not immediately provide details about the scope or duration of the pause.
Implications and Debates
The move has prompted debate over the role of social media pressure in shaping immigration and foreign policy decisions, and raised questions about the criteria used to approve humanitarian medical travel...