Staff Reports
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC as she is often referred to, has made a suggestion that has caught the attention of many Americans. According to a recent appearance on CNN, AOC stated that Americans must be prepared to accept Palestinian refugees into their communities. This statement came in response to a question about whether Arab countries in the Middle East should open their borders to Palestinians instead of the United States.
AOC: Americans Have a Duty to Accept Millions of Palestinian Refugeeshttps://t.co/x3e1q2vaOd
— The Daily Fetched (@DailyFetched) October 21, 2023
Now, it’s important to mention that while AOC believes Arab countries should take in Palestinian refugees, she also believes that Americans should be ready to accept them. She argues that the United States has a historic role to play in accepting refugees and allowing them to restart their lives here. While it’s noble to help those in need, it’s hard to ignore the potential impact on American communities and taxpayer wallets.
AOC believes the U.S. should be taking in refugees from Gaza. pic.twitter.com/iURlP7ngnG
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) October 17, 2023
Under present circumstances, “humanitarian assistance” = resupply for Hamas terrorists. President Biden continues to embolden Iran and its terror proxies. https://t.co/AuouSepdJu
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) October 18, 2023
Representative Jamaal Bowman, another member of the so-called “squad,” has also called on the Biden administration to accept Palestinian refugees. He claims that around 1 million Palestinians have been displaced in the Gaza Strip, and the international community, including the United States, should be prepared to welcome these refugees. However, he also stresses the importance of thoroughly vetting individuals to ensure that members of Hamas are not allowed into the country.
As discussions surrounding this topic continue, it’s worth noting that approximately 57% of Gaza Strip residents have a somewhat positive opinion of Hamas, according to the Washington Institute. Considering the potential security risks and the financial burden of refugee resettlement on American taxpayers, it’s understandable that some Republicans are skeptical of accepting large numbers of Palestinian refugees into the country.
Refugee resettlement already costs American taxpayers nearly $9 billion every five years, with each refugee costing about $133,000 over their lifetime. This expense becomes even more significant when you consider that an estimated 16% of all refugees admitted will require housing assistance paid for by taxpayers within five years.
To address these concerns, Representatives Tiffany and Ogles have introduced the “GAZA Act,” which aims to ban President Biden from bringing Palestinians to the United States for resettlement in American communities. Senator Steve Daines has also introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
It’s important to note that just recently, President Biden announced $100 million in aid for Gaza and the West Bank during his trip to Israel. However, many Republicans argue that this money will only end up in the hands of terrorists, specifically Hamas. GOP Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas voiced his concerns, stating that under the current circumstances, humanitarian assistance could easily become a resupply for Hamas terrorists. These arguments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the acceptance of Palestinian refugees and the potential consequences it may have for the United States. One thing’s for sure, though: this issue is far from over.
