Peters Urges State Department to Immediately Resume Medical and Humanitarian Visas for Innocent Civilians in Gaza

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined 41 of his Democratic colleagues in urging the State Department to resume issuing temporary medical and humanitarian visas for innocent civilians in Gaza who need urgent medical care, including children with life-threatening injuries and conditions.

"We write with grave concern regarding the State Department's recent suspension of all visitor visas for eligible, vetted individuals from Gaza, including those in need of urgent medical care," Peters and his colleagues wrote. "During the Biden and current Trump administrations, individuals from Gaza who met specific criteria set by the State Department have been granted temporary medical and humanitarian visas, allowing them to access life-saving medical treatment in the United States. These civilians include severely wounded children who are especially vulnerable and, through no fault of their own, have been caught in the crossfire and forced to endure horrible impacts from the war in Gaza."

"We are deeply concerned that this blanket decision prevents a viable pathway to critical care for individuals who qualify for temporary medical and humanitarian visas, including children with life-threatening injuries or conditions, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis," the senators continued. "As Secretary of State, we urge you to immediately reinstate the issuance of temporary medical and humanitarian visas in order to provide urgently needed life-saving civilian relief, resume issuing nonimmigrant visas for eligible individuals with Palestinian passports, and refocus U.S. efforts on achieving a lasting end to the conflict in Gaza that ensures security, peace, and prosperity for all in the region."

Peters and his colleagues demanded a full explanation for the State Department's abrupt decision to suspend these visas as well as a list of any cases of medical treatments that have been delayed as a result. Further, they requested information on how the Department plans to ensure that access to emergency medical care for those eligible is not disrupted going forward.

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

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