Biden’s Plan to Admit Gaza Refugees Sparks National Security Concerns
A reported plan by the Biden administration to potentially admit Palestinians from Gaza as refugees into the United States has sparked concerns among immigration experts and lawmakers, who argue that such a move could pose significant national security risks.
Internal documents from the federal government, leaked to the media on Tuesday, suggest that the Biden White House is exploring options to offer permanent safe haven to Palestinians living in war-torn Gaza. While no official plan has been announced, critics have raised alarms over the potential consequences of admitting individuals from this region.
Immigration experts, speaking to the Daily Caller News Foundation, have criticized the proposed plan as contrary to the country’s interests. They warn about the risks associated with admitting foreign nationals from a conflict-ridden area with potential ties to terrorism. Instead, they advocate for relocating refugees to neighboring Middle Eastern countries.
Matt O’Brien, director of investigations for the Immigration Reform Law Institute, described the plan as “absurd” and prioritizing ideology over national security. He highlighted concerns about Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, and the challenges of vetting individuals from the region due to distrust in official records.
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, along with 34 Republican senators, penned a letter to President Biden urging him to halt the reported plan. They raised concerns about the high level of support for Hamas among the Gazan population and the difficulty of properly vetting individuals from such a complex and volatile region.
The senators questioned the rationale behind admitting Gazan refugees, especially when nearby Arab countries, sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, have refused to accept them due to security concerns.
Eric Ruark, director of research and public relations for NumbersUSA, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for caution in admitting individuals from Gaza. He emphasized that every American should be alarmed by the potential implementation of such a program.
Polling data from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Research has revealed widespread support for Hamas among Palestinians, raising further concerns about the potential for individuals with extremist ties to enter the United States under the proposed plan.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
