New US Visa Rule Could Deny Entry to Immigrants With Chronic Illnesses, Raising Concerns
Trump directive empowers consular officers to deny US visas over chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity.
The Trump administration has introduced a sweeping new directive that instructs US consular officers to scrutinize visa applicants’ long-term health needs more closely, potentially denying entry to those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain mental health conditions. This marks a significant broadening of the long-standing “public charge” rule, which allows visa denials if applicants are deemed likely to rely on government assistance.
According to a State Department cable reviewed by KFF Health News and reported by multiple media outlets, officials must assess whether applicants have sufficient financial means to cover expensive, long-term medical care without public aid. The guidance also extends consideration to the health conditions of accompanying family members, factoring in how dependents’ needs might affect the applicant’s employment capacity.
Immigration experts warn that visa officers—who are not medical professionals—have been given increased discretion to judge applicants based on speculative future medical costs, which could lead to inconsistent or unfair decisions. Critics argue the directive contradicts prior guidance discouraging visa denial on hypothetical scenarios, and may disproportionately affect individuals from lower-income backgrounds or countries with higher disease prevalence.
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While health screenings for communicable diseases like tuberculosis and vaccination histories remain standard, this policy shift signals a tougher stance on immigration tied to health status amid broader efforts to curb both legal and unauthorized migration. The directive is part of an expansive campaign by the Trump administration to reduce immigration and tighten entry requirements across multiple visa categories, including immigrant and temporary worker visas.
The new rules raise significant ethical and humanitarian concerns, with advocates calling for clearer criteria, medical expertise in decision-making, and safeguards to ensure immigrants with manageable chronic conditions are not unjustly barred from entry. The policy’s implementation is expected to impact thousands of potential immigrants, reshaping US immigration dynamics in the years ahead.
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