US withdrawal of visas dashes hopes for education abroad for Palestinian students in the United States
In the heart of Gaza, a 22-year-old student was preparing to embark on a new journey, her acceptance to an American university serving as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. However, her plans were abruptly halted last month when the Trump administration introduced a new visa policy.
The policy, which denies the issuance of all non-immigrant visas to Palestinians holding Palestinian passports, has left countless students like her in limbo. The student, who is currently trying to gather food, water, and internet access after being forced to flee her home in Gaza City due to Israel launching a ground operation, now finds herself looking elsewhere in the world for opportunities for the fall of 2026.
The pharmacist, a 40-year-old man with three young children, is also seeking a master's degree in public and global health in the US. His attempts to secure his degree were challenging due to school closures, internet access issues, and contacting people during the war. He even had to seek internet access while in Egypt, having fled with his family during the early months of the conflict.
The decision to implement this new policy in August 2022 was made by the United States government, as reported by the New York Times and confirmed by the U.S. State Department's announcement in mid-August 2022. The State Department spokesperson stated that "every visa decision is a national security decision," without elaborating on the rationale for the new policy. The Trump administration has not provided any direct information to the students about the new visa policy or its rationale.
Last year, more than 450 American university students held Palestinian passports, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors data. The new policy has forced dozens of these students to restart their university application process from scratch, potentially causing a loss of three years of education.
Juliette Majid, the founder of Student Justice Network, described the new policy as complicating the situations of Palestinian students and as cowardly and disappointing. "The students have already been through so much," she said, "and now they are being denied the opportunity to further their education due to politics."
The student's plan was derailed when the war began almost two years ago, and Israeli bombing forced her local university to shutter its doors. She has prioritized pursuing her education, which was abruptly upended when the war began. Her acceptance at an American College was the culmination of her efforts, despite destruction and devastation dominating her life.
The student's acceptance to an American university was her light at the end of the tunnel after living through a nightmare in Gaza. Now, she finds herself facing a new challenge, but she remains determined to continue her pursuit of education, wherever it may lead her.
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