State Department to allow denial of immigrant visas to those with health issues, including obesity

Immigrants seeking visas to live in the US could be rejected if they have certain common medical conditions, including obesity, cancer or diabetes, according to reports.

The guidance, issued in a cable sent by the State Department to embassy and consular officials, directs visa officers to weed out applicants entering the US based on their age or the likelihood they would need to rely on public benefits, according to a directive examined by KFF Health News.

“You must consider an applicant’s health,” the cable obtained by the outlet said.

“Certain medical conditions — including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health conditions — can require hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of care,” the directive stated.

Visa officers are also encouraged to consider if applicants have obesity, which could cause aggravating health issues such as asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure, the cable said.

A medical examination is already required for all immigrants and refugees entering the country.

Though it’s common for visa officers to screen for contagious diseases such as tuberculosis or ask for a vaccination history, the expanded protocol greatly increases officers’ ability to reject visa applicants.

Those who suffer from these medical conditions could become a “public charge,” and drain the nation of its resources, the directive argued.

Applicants who aren’t able to pay for medical treatment without help from the US government could also be rejected, the outlet reported.

“Does the applicant have adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalization at government expense?” the cable said.