The Trump administration has instructed U.S. consulates worldwide to halt almost all visitor visa approvals for Palestinian passport holders. This policy began on August 31, 2025, and expands recent limitations on Palestinian travel to the U.S.
The State Department confirmed that U.S. embassies and consulates are now to use Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, effectively rejecting non-immigrant visa applications from those holding Palestinian passports. This directive, dated August 18, applies to medical trips, education, family visits, and business travel.
These restrictions don’t impact Palestinians who hold dual citizenship or those who already have valid visas. Palestinian passports have been issued since the 1990s, following an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
These new directives follow statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that indicated the U.S. would deny and revoke visas for senior Palestinian leaders intending to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Rubio emphasized a one-sided recognition of the Palestinian authority, asserting that holding them accountable is necessary for peace efforts.
The State Department noted that this broadened visa suspension is intended as a step towards aligning with U.S. law and concerns for national security. However, they did not provide specific reasons triggering this policy. There are ongoing discussions about recognizing Palestinian statehood in France, Canada, and the U.K., a move that has faced strong opposition from both Israeli and American officials.
A former U.S. consul and immigration officer expressed that the blanket application of Section 221(g), typically meant for specific case evaluations, essentially amounts to an overall denial. Hara Lalit, a former spokesperson for the State Department who resigned in 2024, described the measure as an “unlimited rejection.” Kelly Doyle, who led an immigration and customs law firm during the Biden administration, suggested the government should be clearer about whether these actions stem from security issues or political motivations.
This announcement builds upon previous, narrower measures implemented recently. Earlier in August, the State Department paused a commonly utilized route for visa processing and treatment for Palestinians in Gaza. Following this, Rubio stated that several Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, would be barred from attending the General Assembly. Abbas’s office responded, calling the decision “surprising” and appealing for a reversal.
The U.S. is still navigating the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in the abduction of more than 250 individuals. Israeli officials caution that recognizing Palestinian statehood without negotiations could inadvertently reward terrorism.
According to the Institute for Immigration Policy, over 9,000 Palestinians possess travel documents related to visitor visas for 2024. Significant Palestinian populations reside in cities including Chicago, Illinois; Patterson, New Jersey; and Anaheim, California.
The mayor of a West Bank town, Rafi Adeeb, underscored how these new restrictions will impact many with family ties in the U.S., stating that Palestinians often feel treated unfairly.
The administration’s directives are part of an ongoing strategy by the Palestinian authorities, announced in July, aimed at pressuring Palestinian leaders in line with Israel’s opposition to unilateral statehood claims.
