The Biden administration is considering plans to allow refugees from Gaza into the United States, a move that has faced significant pushback from critics who warn of potential national security risks.
A letter signed by 36 Republican senators to President Biden raises concerns about the ability of the administration to properly vet individuals from Gaza and the possibility of Hamas supporters or terrorists entering the country. The senators cite a poll showing that a majority of Gazans support Hamas’ recent attacks on Israel, as well as a 2013 poll showing 76% of Gazans view the U.S. as an enemy.
Critics have also questioned why the U.S. should be responsible for taking in Gazan refugees, arguing that there are other countries in the region better equipped to do so. Some have pointed to the challenges of properly vetting refugees from a war-torn area, citing the recent influx of individuals on the national terror watchlist encountered at the southern border.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the proposed plan, which would involve using the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and considering welcoming people out of Gaza and processing them as refugees if they have American relatives. Any refugees from Gaza would have to pass medical and security screenings before being flown to the U.S. with refugee status.
The administration’s plans raise concerns about the challenges of effectively vetting individuals from a region with a history of terrorism and potential anti-American sentiment, as well as the broader implications for U.S. national security.
