Mo Ghaoui

@moghaoui · Twitter · 2025-06-23 13:29 UTC

So I went to UNRWA —> here’s the short version: “You can remove your Palestinian civil records (like ID and social status) through the Ministry of Social Development. But you can’t remove your refugee registration or identity from UNRWA.” Here’s what happened briefly👇 I had two case scenario requests: 1/Register my American child 2/Remove my family’s refugee record from UNRWA 1. Registering my child: They asked for a certified birth certificate and other paperwork (the person handling it was on break). I didn’t push. Said I’d consider. I was encouraged to register ; there's a $50/child incentive. [But this "bonus" is rare; most people get nothing. When it does happen, it’s like a once-a-year Christmas gift.] 2. Removing refugee status: I asked to strike my refugee records. They said: “You can go to the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development to remove your national data. But here at UNRWA, we’ll just update your nationality.” I pushed back: I’m naturalized. I still hold a Palestinian Authority passport, and I do not want to remove my Palestinian registration just that I no longer identify as a refugee. Their reply? “We have no process to delete records. Why remove it? It doesn’t harm you.” I explained my reasons, but the answer was the same. There’s no form, no request, no path. They just said: Let it go. (Kindly, but clearly unsure themselves as they’re local employees.)