Nearly 70 Democrats Urge U.S. to Open Pathways for Palestinian Refugees Amid Gaza Conflict

[Social Media]

 

In response to the ongoing violence in Gaza, a group of nearly 70 Democratic senators and representatives have called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to create pathways for Palestinian refugees to enter the United States. This initiative aims to help Palestinians, particularly those with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relatives, escape the dire conditions in Gaza.

 

The letter, sent to Blinken and Mayorkas on Thursday, was led by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). It highlights the urgency of granting a priority-2 (P-2) designation to Palestinians affected by the conflict. This designation would provide them special access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, facilitating their resettlement based on their specific circumstances and needs.

 

"Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, many congressional offices have received distressing requests for assistance from constituents desperately seeking to reunite with their loved ones," the letter states. The lawmakers expressed appreciation for the Biden administration's efforts to evacuate American citizens from Gaza but emphasized that more needs to be done for those with familial ties to the U.S. who remain in peril.

Durbin underscored the importance of the P-2 designation, saying, "By granting a P-2 designation for refugee processing for certain Palestinians, the United States will be giving hope to Americans with relatives in Gaza who have strong ties to our nation but remain stranded in life-threatening conditions."

 

The ongoing war, which began over eight months ago following a Hamas attack on southern Israel that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 captives, has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In light of these events, the White House is reportedly considering admitting a limited number of Palestinians with U.S.-based families as refugees, marking a significant shift in the U.S.'s refugee policy. Historically, the U.S. has resettled few Palestinians, with fewer than 600 among the over 400,000 refugees admitted in the past decade.

 

Efforts are underway to facilitate the safe passage of U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their immediate families from Gaza. The State Department, working with Egypt and Israel, has assisted over 1,800 individuals in leaving Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt. 

 

Earlier this year, President Biden directed Blinken and Mayorkas to defer the removal of certain Palestinians currently living in the U.S. for 18 months in response to the conflict. The lawmakers emphasized that Palestinian refugees would need to meet specific eligibility criteria, undergo interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, provide biometric data, and pass required medical and security screenings.

 

The Democrats highlighted the refugee program as a crucial tool for the U.S. to de-escalate international conflicts and support regional stability. A spokesperson for Homeland Security confirmed that the agency responds to congressional inquiries through official channels, while a State Department spokesperson expressed concern over the famine in Gaza and stressed the need for safe distribution of aid and protection for humanitarian workers.

 

As the situation in Gaza remains dire, the call for opening pathways for Palestinian refugees reflects a growing recognition of the humanitarian imperative to provide relief and reunite families separated by conflict.

 

Credit: Hill 2024-06-22

 

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[impulse]

'Cause it's not good enough to have MS13 gang members coming across unvetted. 

 

Now they want us to import Hamas and Hezbollah members.

 

 

 

[pgrahmm]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

'Cause it's not good enough to have MS13 gang members coming across unvetted. 

 

Now they want us to import Hamas and Hezbollah members.

 

 

 

Exactly what the open border is all about.....

[riclag]

Vett them and make them submit to be loyal to the country they reside in and take a Pledge of Allegiance!

 

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands , one nation under god with liberty and justice for all!

 

Make sure they don’t send their earnings back to Hamas  in Gaza.

 

methinks

[placeholder]

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

Vett them and make them submit to be loyal to the country they reside in and take a Pledge of Allegiance!

 

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands , one nation under god with liberty and justice for all!

 

Make sure they don’t send their earnings back to Hamas  in Gaza.

 

methinks

Now why didn't the US govt long ago think of making possible terrorists and malefactors take that pledge? Your plan is pure genius!!!! Let's just hope that someone somewhere doesn't stumble upon the concept of lying. Until then, great idea!!!

[impulse]

21 minutes ago, riclag said:

Vett them and make them submit to be loyal to the country they reside in and take a Pledge of Allegiance!

 

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands , one nation under god with liberty and justice for all!

 

Make sure they don’t send their earnings back to Hamas  in Gaza.

 

methinks

 

Better yet, contract with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or another friendly country to house them.  And if Muslim countries say no, ask yourself why.

 

Edit:  I understand there's some unused refugee spaces in Rwanda that'll probably remain vacant.  Forever...  Maybe we can get a deal.

 

Here's another thought.  Send over a few containers of MAGA hats and Trump t-shirts and the Dems will quickly lose their compassion when the next news cycle shows them being worn.

 

Edited June 22 by impulse

[Bkk Brian]

What we do know with the Gazans is that 90% believe that Hamas did not commit any atrocities against Israeli civilians on the seventh of October. So a touch of education would be required.

[John Drake]

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

What we do know with the Gazans is that 90% believe that Hamas did not commit any atrocities against Israeli civilians on the seventh of October. So a touch of education would be required.

 

Should make them perfect candidates for Harvard or Columbia then.

[riclag]

10 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Better yet, contract with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or another friendly country to house them.  And if Muslim countries say no, ask yourself why.

 

Edit:  I understand there's some unused refugee spaces in Rwanda that'll probably remain vacant.  Forever...  Maybe we can get a deal.

 

 

 

Better yet have China build a island for them and the UN member countries help pay it!

[mokwit]

Goes without saying that these requested pathways end at other peoples neighborhoods, not their own. it's always "refugees welcome in somebody else's neighbourhood"

Edited June 22 by mokwit

[thaipo7]

We were seeing peace breaking out in this area under President Trump.  The Biden who has been on the wrong side of history for 50 years has the whole world on fire.  Look at the withdrawal from Afghanistan.  This is when our enemies started seeing what a weak leader the US had.  Plus a stupid one too.  Closing Bagram AB before taking out equipment and US citizens along with the Afghans that help us so much while we were there.  Biden and Blinken, two losers.

[ThaiFelix]

21 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Biden and Blinken, two losers.

Aaaah theyre just going with the flow.............

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, placeholder said:

Now why didn't the US govt long ago think of making possible terrorists and malefactors take that pledge? Your plan is pure genius!!!! Let's just hope that someone somewhere doesn't stumble upon the concept of lying. Until then, great idea!!!

 

Well the US has a world champion mother of all liars on the presidential election ticket, maybe he can advise re lying. 

[koolkarl]

Too bad an IQ test isn't required to become a politician.  Don't see Switzerland or Japan given muslims an open door either.  They know what's up.

[impulse]

21 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Well the US has a world champion mother of all liars on the presidential election ticket, maybe he can advise re lying. 

 

Joe says "no comment".  To be precise, Cringy Pierre says "no comment" on Joe's behalf.  He's out of pocket, busy practicing standing up while he tells lies, back in his basement for the next few days.

 

[Thingamabob]

34 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Well the US has a world champion mother of all liars on the presidential election ticket, maybe he can advise re lying. 

Grow up.

[Thingamabob]

Arab countries will not accept Palestinian refugees. They are neither liked nor trusted throughout the Arab world.

[mokwit]

25 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Arab countries will not accept Palestinian refugees. They are neither liked nor trusted throughout the Arab world.

Do they perhaps know something our idiot politicians don't?

[mokwit]

40 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Too bad an IQ test isn't required to become a politician.  Don't see Switzerland or Japan given muslims an open door either.  They know what's up.

I think Switzerland was pressured into accepting "Peaceful" people from the Balkans, but no they were not totally stupid - shortly after that they stopped the requirement for male citizens to have a state supplied military rifle and 20 rounds at home.................

[The Theory]

Even Egypt does not want any of those people to get in, but it's ok to let the US become a "land fill" ?!!! 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Arab countries will not accept Palestinian refugees. They are neither liked nor trusted throughout the Arab world.

Any evidence of that?

[BangkokHank]

So nearly 70 of America's (traitorous) Democratic senators and representatives have asked America's Gentile-hating Jewish Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Jewish Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to bring Palestinians who are being bombed relentlessly by Israel over to America? Let me guess what THEY'RE going to say: "Why not send ALL Palestinians to America? That would solve the dual Israeli objective of of Israel of getting rid of all Palestinians while further destroying America."

 

I have a better proposal: Why not send all of the Palestinians who are dispersed throughout the world to Gaza, to make up for the ones slaughtered by Israel?

[placeholder]

18 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

So nearly 70 of America's (traitorous) Democratic senators and representatives have asked America's Gentile-hating Jewish Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Jewish Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to bring Palestinians who are being bombed relentlessly by Israel over to America? Let me guess what THEY'RE going to say: "Why not send ALL Palestinians to America? That would solve the dual Israeli objective of of Israel of getting rid of all Palestinians while further destroying America."

 

I have a better proposal: Why not send all of the Palestinians who are dispersed throughout the world to Gaza, to make up for the ones slaughtered by Israel?

"Traitorous"? Are you under the impression that Israel is the 51st state?

Edited June 23 by placeholder