Congress: 118 · Status: active · Israel/Palestine classification: pro-Israel
Data (JSON) — machine-readable record of this bill (identifiers, sponsor, classification, actions, and the member-by-member vote breakdown).
Official record on Congress.gov — full text, actions, and cosponsor history for HR 8558.
Sponsor: Self, Keith (R-Texas)
This bill would treat Gaza Strip residents the same as nationals from countries covered by Presidential Proclamation 9645 (Trump's 2017 travel ban targeting Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, and Venezuela), effectively restricting their entry to the United States. The restriction would take effect upon enactment.
This would be the first statute codifying travel restrictions specifically targeting Palestinians in Gaza into permanent law, removing the ability for future administrations to modify or lift the restriction without congressional action. It signals congressional intent to treat Gaza as a security threat equivalent to state actors, with implications for visa policy and humanitarian entry.