White House mulls welcoming Palestinian refugees from conflict-ridden Gaza

The Biden administration is considering a groundbreaking move to bring certain Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to the U.S. as refugees, according to internal federal government documents obtained by CBS News. The proposal aims to offer a permanent safe haven to those fleeing the devastating conflict in Gaza.

Senior officials from various U.S. agencies have been in discussions about resettling Palestinians from Gaza who have immediate family members in the U.S. or are permanent residents. One proposal involves utilizing the United States Refugee Admissions Program to welcome Palestinians with U.S. ties who have managed to escape Gaza and enter neighboring Egypt.

The plans would require coordination with Egypt, as the country has been hesitant to welcome large numbers of people from Gaza. Eligible Palestinians who pass screenings would qualify for refugee status in the U.S., providing them with permanent residency, resettlement benefits, and a path to American citizenship.

While the eligible population is expected to be relatively small, the move could offer a lifeline to Palestinians fleeing the Israel-Hamas war, which has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Gaza. The U.S. has already assisted American citizens and vulnerable individuals in leaving Gaza for safety and medical care.

The proposal to resettle Palestinians as refugees represents a shift in U.S. policy, as the country has historically resettled few Palestinians through the refugee program. The move could face political challenges, with Democrats likely to support it and Republicans potentially criticizing it as a national security risk. Nonetheless, the Biden administration has prioritized refugee resettlement and aims to admit up to 125,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024.