A new set of U.S. immigration guidelines under President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly introduces health-based criteria that could deny entry to foreigners deemed obese or suffering from certain medical conditions. The stated goal is to reduce potential healthcare costs for American taxpayers by assessing applicants’ health more closely during the visa process.
According to reports, the new policy extends beyond obesity, including conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and mental health disorders. These factors could now influence whether an applicant is granted a visa, reflecting a broader effort by the administration to prevent individuals who might rely on public healthcare from entering the country.
A memo circulated to U.S. embassies worldwide instructs visa officers to weigh an applicant’s health status when reviewing eligibility. The memo lists cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as obesity, as possible grounds for denial. Officers are also asked to determine whether applicants can afford potential healthcare expenses without government assistance.
The administration argues that the new standards will help protect the U.S. healthcare system from long-term financial strain. Officials claim that chronic illnesses can result in medical costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, and thus proactive screening is a fiscally responsible measure.
However, legal experts have raised serious concerns. Immigration attorney Charles Wheeler from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network warned that the guidelines may conflict with existing provisions in the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual. He emphasized that visa officers are not qualified to make medical judgments about applicants’ future health needs.
Critics also argue that evaluating an applicant’s health—and that of their family—adds complexity and potential bias to the visa process. The policy’s global impact could be significant, prompting debate over whether using health as a determinant for immigration aligns with U.S. values of fairness and equality.