The Trump administration is introducing new rules to deny US visas to people with obesity or diabetes.

Immigrants with health issues may be denied visas, according to new Trump administration guidelines. Diabetes and obesity are among the diagnoses that contribute to denial, according to ABC News.

Under a new directive issued November 6, foreign nationals applying for a U.S. permanent resident visa may be denied if they have certain medical conditions, including diabetes or obesity.

A State Department circular directs visa officers to deem applicants inadmissible to the United States for a number of new reasons, including age or the likelihood that they will become dependent on government benefits. The document states that such individuals could become a "public charge"—that is, a potential strain on U.S. resources—due to health issues or age.

On the subject: The United States will collect biometric data from all non-citizens upon entry and exit.

Assessing the health of potential immigrants, specifically screening for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and confirming vaccinations, has always been part of the visa application process. However, experts note that the new guidelines significantly expand the list of illnesses that must be considered and give visa officers greater discretion in making immigration decisions based on the applicant's health.

This directive is part of the Trump administration's campaign to deport immigrants living in the United States without authorization and restrict new immigration attempts. The White House has already carried out mass arrests, banned refugees from several countries, and limited the total number of people admitted to the country.

The new guidelines call for special consideration of immigrants' health when reviewing their applications. While the directive applies to nearly all categories of applicants, in practice it will likely be used primarily for those seeking permanent residence in the United States, said Charles Wheeler, senior attorney at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), a nonprofit advocacy organization.

"You must consider the applicant's health status," the circular states. "Certain conditions, particularly cardiovascular, respiratory, oncological, metabolic, neurological, and mental disorders, as well as diabetes, may require hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical care."

About 10% of the world's population suffers from diabetes. Cardiovascular diseases are also common and are the leading cause of death worldwide.

The circular, among other things, recommends that visa officers consider other conditions, such as obesity, which can trigger asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure, when assessing whether an immigrant may become a public charge and therefore should be denied entry to the United States.

"All of these conditions may require expensive, long-term treatment," the document explains.

Visa officers are required to determine whether applicants have the means to pay for medical care without support from the U.S. government.

“That is, does the applicant have sufficient funds to cover the costs of medical treatment during his or her expected lifetime [in the United States] without recourse to government financial assistance or long-term stay in government-funded medical institutions?” the directive specifies.

The circular's language, Wheeler said, contradicts the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual, which explicitly states that visa officers cannot deny applications based on hypothetical "what if" situations.

"The guidance encourages visa officers to independently assess what might lead to a medical crisis or future costs," he said. "This is alarming because they have no medical training, no experience in this area, and should not make predictions based on personal knowledge or preconceived notions."

In addition, the directive requires that the health status of the applicant's family members, including children and elderly parents, be taken into account: "Do any of the dependents have a disability, chronic illness, or special needs requiring care that would prevent the applicant from working?"

Immigrants already undergo a medical examination by a physician approved by the US Embassy.

They are screened for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and asked to complete a questionnaire about possible drug or alcohol use, mental disorders, or violence. They are required to have a number of vaccinations against infectious diseases, including measles, polio, and hepatitis B.

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However, according to Sofia Genovese, an immigration lawyer at Georgetown University, the new guidelines emphasize that chronic medical conditions must also be taken into account. She noted that the document encourages visa officers and examining physicians to make assumptions about the cost of potential medical care for applicants, as well as their ability to find employment in the United States, based on their personal medical history.

"Considering a history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease is a very broad concept," Genovese concluded. "Some degree of such assessment already exists, but not to the extent that we have to assume, for example, 'What if someone goes into diabetic shock?' If the changes take effect immediately, it would obviously cause a lot of problems during consular interviews."

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