Josh Hawley demands Biden fire anti-Israel former PLO spokeswoman employed by DHS

On Thursday, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley penned a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers regarding Newja Ali, a DHS employee recently placed on administrative leave who formerly served as a spokeswoman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization and has a "documented history of making virulently antisemitic, pro-Hamas statements."

Hawley called on Mayorkas to fire her from her role adjudicating United States immigration cases, arguing that as someone who "harbors intensely negative views against the State of Israel and supports the recent barbarism perpetrated against its citizens by Hamas terrorists," she has no place in the DHS.

"Ms. Ali's troubling personal views apparently carry into her professional life—including her roles at DHS," Hawley wrote, explaining that "in one social media post associated with her name, she included the hashtags '#asylumseekers #palestine #refugeeswelcome'—suggesting that she may preference certain immigration cases over others at DHS."

Ali previously worked as a public affairs officer at the PLO's office in Washington, DC before it was shuttered by the Trump administration.

She also worked as an asylum officer, where she was responsible for "adjudicating asylum applications and conducting credible and reasonable fear screenings." In her current position, she "reviews and makes determinations on cases for immigration benefits."

Following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack, Ali reportedly posted "F* Israel, the government, and its military. Are you ready for your downfall?" on Instagram, as well as an image "depicting armed terrorists paragliding into Israel with the caption 'Free PALESTINE'."





"These statements appear to cast severe doubt on her ability to impartially evaluate immigration cases," Hawley stated. "I am glad to see that she has now been placed on administrative leave—but that is not enough. If these reports are accurate, you must terminate her employment immediately."

He called on Mayorkas to provide answers regarding Ali's involvement in immigration cases for Palestinians, as well as Jews or Israelis. The senator also asked if the DHS had any "safeguards ... in place in the asylum adjudication process to remediate any abuses committed by strongly prejudiced immigration officers."