Republicans Seek To Block Palestinian Refugee Resettlement In US

Republican members of Congress said last week that they would seek to block the settlement of Palestinians in the United States. The effort came as the Biden administration weighed whether or not to bring refugees from Gaza into the country.

Three members of the House and dozens of Republican senators called for the Biden administration to block any effort to allow Palestinians into the United States.

Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Scott Perry (R-PA) wrote in a joint letter that no funding in the upcoming budget year should be used “to issue a visa or grant parole to any alien holding a passport issued by the Palestinian Authority.”

“Whatever fanciful leftist notion to the contrary, the United States of America cannot be expected to absorb the rest of the world’s problems,” the letter read. The representatives called for other countries in the Middle East to “take in those in need.”

They wrote that if the White House was “indeed working in concert with our allies in the region to pave the way for peace, that should come with the expectation that those allies are working in good faith to “do their part.”

The White House is discussing the option of allowing refugees into the United States from Gaza if they had American relatives. The plan would require the Palestinians to pass a background check.

Three dozen senators wrote in a separate letter that the potential plan “poses a national security risk to the United States.”

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) said last month that he would support the resettlement of Palestinians on U.S. soil. He also said that those in the country illegally already should receive amnesty.

Watch as Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman says America is a land of immigrants, so he therefore would fully support Palestinian migrants coming here.

He's also in support of amnesty for the millions of illegals who have already flooded the country.

What do you think about his… pic.twitter.com/bnmcKDPSsE

— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) April 29, 2024

The effort also comes as protests on college campuses have expanded in recent weeks, including some that have led to violence.

Furthermore, protesters have also occupied a number of public buildings and spaces, sparking dozens of arrests. Several colleges have had to either adjust the final exam schedule or considered postponing graduation.