Foreigners seeking to emigrate to the United States could be denied visas because of their health conditions, including obesity, according to a US State Department directive that is part of the Trump administration’s stricter migration policy. The new regulations, which significantly expand existing regulations, were contained in a notice sent earlier this month by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.
Among the pathologies mentioned are obesity, diabetes or cancer requiring “treatment costing several hundred thousand dollars”. “You must consider the applicant’s health condition,” the notice was first revealed by the special site KFF Health News.
Embassies are also asked to assess whether their dependents have “disabilities, chronic illnesses or other special needs and require care.” 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 the visas of tens of thousands of people in the United States, including those who hold anti-American views. “It is no secret that the Trump administration has 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.
