As part of the Trump administration’s stricter migration policy, the State Department instructed consular agents, in a cable whose contents were confirmed by Agence France-Presse (AFP), to consider a variety of pathologies as criteria for denying visas to foreigners seeking to enter the United States.
“You have to take the applicant’s health into account”said a telegram sent on November 6 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to American embassies and consulates around the world, first revealed by the special site KFF Health News And the contents of which have been confirmed by Washington Post and AFP.
“Certain medical conditions – including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disease, neurological disease, and mental health disorders – require treatment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. » The embassy was also asked to assess whether there were any dependents “disability, chronic illness or other special needs and requiring care”.
The US State Department guidance also asks consular officers to consider certain new reasons for inadmissibility, including whether they are over retirement age, the number of dependents they have – children or elderly parents – and whether any of those dependents have dependents. “special needs” or disability, added Washington Post.
Medical visit
The United States is one of the countries most affected by obesity in the world, primarily due to diet and lack of exercise. Since returning to power in January, President Donald Trump has made the fight against illegal immigration a top priority, but he has also tightened entry requirements to the United States for regular migrants.
Additionally, the State Department has revoked tens of thousands of visas for people in the United States, including for those who hold un-American views.
“It’s no secret that the Trump administration puts the interests of the American people first”State Department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott said in an email. “This includes implementing policies to ensure that our immigration system does not burden American taxpayers”he added.
Long-term visa applicants must have undergone a health examination and infectious disease screening.
