Trump Administration to Deny Visas Based on Potential Healthcare Costs
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Trump Administration has implemented a policy allowing for the denial of visas to immigrants deemed likely to require notable medical care or unable to afford it,significantly broadening grounds for rejection. The new directive instructs consular officials to consider conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease when evaluating visa applications.
The policy expands the list of medical conditions considered disqualifying beyond communicable diseases such as measles, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis B. It empowers immigration officials to deny visas based solely on an applicant’s health status and their financial capacity to cover potential healthcare expenses without relying on U.S. public assistance. A recent internal cable reportedly asks officials to assess, “does the applicant have sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of such care throughout his or her life expectancy, without resorting to cash public assistance or prolonged institutionalization at the expense of the Government?”
The move has drawn criticism for possibly contradicting the State Department’s Foreign Affairs manual, which previously prohibited rejecting applications based on hypothetical future scenarios. Charles Wheeler, senior attorney for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), expressed concern that “these personnel have no medical training, lack experience in this area and should not make projections based on their personal knowledge or prejudices.”
The policy also extends to the health of family members, questioning whether dependents’ disabilities or chronic illnesses could hinder the visa holder’s ability to maintain employment. Officials and examining doctors are now permitted to speculate on the future cost of medical care and an applicant’s ability to secure employment offering adequate medical insurance.
With approximately 10% of the global population suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of death worldwide, the policy is expected to significantly restrict immigration to the United States.
