A threat to those intending to travel to the United States. A new directive to US embassies and consulates instructs officials to consider denying visas to people with chronic health conditions, including those who are overweight.
The guidance sent by the US State Department reportedly explains that “some medical conditions – including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disease, neurological disease, and mental health disorders” – can require hundreds of thousands of dollars in treatment. The guidance also reportedly encourages visa officers to consider obesity.
Tommy Pigott, a chief spokesperson, confirmed the directive to several media outlets, saying, “It’s no secret that the Trump administration prioritizes the interests of the American people. This includes implementing policies that ensure our immigration system does not become a burden on American taxpayers.” Non-citizen immigrants are far more likely to be uninsured than US citizens, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). By 2023, approximately one in five adult immigrants lawfully residing in the US will be uninsured, according to the KFF.
Whether this visa denial will also apply to those simply visiting the United States for leisure or business trips has not been specifically explained. However, this plan has caused considerable concern for many.
