Posted on 11/21/2025 9:58:20 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to the United States could now be denied visas and green cards based on pre-existing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, under new guidance issued by the Trump administration.
The directive, which significantly expands the criteria for who is deemed a potential "public charge," has been sent by the State Department on to US embassies and consular offices worldwide.
A cable sent by the State Department to visa officers instructs them to flag applicants whose medical conditions could require "hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of care." The list of conditions cited includes, but is not limited to cardiovascular diseases; respiratory diseases; cancers; diabetes; metabolic diseases; neurological diseases; and mental health conditions.
The guidance also specifically advises officers to consider conditions like obesity, noting that it can lead to costly complications such as asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
All these chronic illnesses are now being assessed as potential indicators that an individual might become a future financial burden on the United States.
The policy shift, revealed on Thursday, is one of the most aggressive moves in the administration’s broader immigration crackdown, effectively linking an applicant’s health status to their eligibility for entry.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesofindia.indiatimes.com ...
So?
It was not immediately clear if the directive applies to tourist and student visas. While it technically applies to all visa applicants, including those seeking non-immigrant visas for tourism (B-1/B-2) and studies (F1), it is expected to be primarily used for those seeking to permanently reside in the US.
What about AIDS?
Brilliant idea!
I have no problem with this....it’s time we put a stop to the rest of the world sucking us dry like parasites.
We used to, and still do, deny people entry based on certain communicable diseases. The idea is that we don’t want people to infect our population with some dreadful disease. In the case of something like heart disease or diabetes, what is the point of accepting people who have chronic diseases that are very expensive to treat? Immigration isn’t supposed to be a free pass to everybody in the world to come here and have a better life. That’s a nice thing to do, but for any country, the goal of immigration is to serve some need that betters the nation. Bringing in generally older people that have these chronic and expensive diseases is a burden upon the country, not a benefit. In certain cases, especially for somebody with specialized knowledge or skills, exceptions could, and probably will be made. I have no problem with that.
Yay.
...and this is “bad”, why???
Beat me to it.
Seems reasonable. They aren’t saying they can’t come here. They’re saying they can’t get visas. And it makes complete sense.
At the bottom:
About the Author
Chidanand Rajghatta
Rajghatta is author of Kamala Harris: Phenomenal Woman
Years ago i had a client in the Bronx- black woman from a Caribbean country which i cannot remember (this was at least a dozen years ago)...she told me her relatives from that country would come here, beg to stay with her then go to the hospital for free cancer treatment and treatment of other diseases- and she was pissed about it...all paid for by the American taxpayer of course...
Ignorant question I know, but does this apply to simple tourist visas or for those wanting a longer almost permanent stay?
🤣
RE: Ignorant question I know, but does this apply to simple tourist visas or for those wanting a longer almost permanent stay?
See Post #3
If it were a mother bleeping cash-based system it wouldn’t matter. Now the ex-pats will get screwed by reciprocal laws.
We are full up...is it me, or do a lot of East Indian women look like they could be diabetic? (Big bellies)
RE: So?
It won’t affect you if you plan to stay in the USA forever and never travel overseas.
But this policy might invite RECIPROCAL policies against the USA for those planning to travel or study abroad.
This means having to present a health certification from your doctor before you apply for a visa to go overseas.
A good friend’s daughter married a young Turkish man. He then imported his whole (not indigent) family from Turkey, so his father can get free medical care for his diabetes. The marriage failed.
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