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Roughly 70 Democrats have called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to open legal ways for Palestinian refugees to leave Gaza and come to the United States.

In a letter addressed to Blinken and Mayorkas, 69 Democratic senators and representatives advocated for a priority-2 (P-2) designation for Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza, particularly those with relatives who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents. This designation would grant these individuals special access to the US Refugee Admissions Program, acknowledging their urgent need for resettlement.

In the letter, lawmakers wrote, “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.” They added, “We appreciate the steps that the Biden Administration has taken to evacuate American citizens from Gaza. However, without pathways for Americans to petition for their relatives in Gaza, countless families with strong ties to our nation remain stranded in life-threatening conditions.”

According to some news outlets citing top US officials, the Biden administration has considered admitting some Palestinians with U.S.-based families as refugees, marking a significant shift in the US refugee program.

This comes as the ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in over 37,000 Palestinian deaths and 85,000 injuries, according to the United Nations. Additionally, about 1.7 million people have been displaced, with the northern region experiencing severe famine conditions. The war, now exceeding eight months, began after Hamas attacked southern Israel, which left more than 1,200 people dead and 250 in captivity.