In a move that has raised concerns about racism and discrimination, House Republicans have introduced a bill that specifically targets Palestinians, revoking their visas and refugee status. The bill, known as the Safeguarding Americans From Extremism Act, was spearheaded by Representative Ryan Zinke and calls for the Department of Homeland Security to refrain from granting visas or refugee status to individuals holding passports issued by the Palestinian Authority.

Additionally, the bill mandates the revocation of visas and refugee or asylum status for those who were granted it on or after October 1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be directly responsible for removing individuals who lose their lawful status.

Representative Zinke's statement in support of the bill demonstrates a conflation of all Palestinians with the extremist group Hamas, as he referred to it as "anti-Hamas immigration legislation." This generalization has drawn criticism and further deepened concerns about the potential discriminatory nature of the bill.

In an attempt to justify the proposed immigration overhaul, Representative Zinke quoted articles dating as far back as 2019 that are unrelated to Palestinians or threats against the United States. This inclusion of non-relevant sources, including articles from conservative outlets like The Daily Mail and Fox News, has sparked skepticism about the bill's underlying motivations.

Co-sponsored by several far-right members of Congress, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, who recently led an unsuccessful attempt to censure the only Palestinian American member of Congress, the bill has garnered attention and criticism from various corners.

House Republicans' focus on deportations and restrictive immigration policies in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza is not new. Former President Donald Trump has promised to reinstate the so-called Muslim ban and expel anyone showing support for Hamas. Similar deportations have been promised by other 2024 candidates and members of Congress. However, the Safeguarding Americans From Extremism Act marks the first legislative attempt to translate these campaign promises into reality.

Given the controversial nature of the bill and concerns raised by critics, its fate remains uncertain. As debate on immigration policies continues, the issue of targeting specific groups based on nationality or ethnicity will inevitably remain at the forefront. The consequences and potential ramifications of such policies will undoubtedly shape the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration reform in the United States.