Are you overweight and hoping to move to the U.S.?
That could soon be a problem.
According to a new report, the United States may begin denying entry to immigrants who are considered likely to rely on public health benefits.
Before becoming the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump pledged to drastically curb immigration, and his administration has continued pursuing that goal, primarily through the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The agency has faced widespread criticism and nationwide protests over its tactics and policies.
Now, the Trump administration is reportedly introducing another measure aimed at reducing immigration numbers: restrictions that could prevent individuals with certain health conditions, including obesity, from entering or settling in the country.
What is the ‘obesity ban’?
On Thursday, Nov. 6, KFF Health News revealed that the State Department issued new guidance to U.S. embassies and consulates, advising officials to potentially deny visas to immigrants deemed likely to depend on public assistance because of age or health conditions.
Under the new guidance, foreign nationals who are obese could be denied immigrant visas to the U.S. The same could apply to people with “cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases and mental-health conditions.”
Officials reviewing visa applications are now reportedly instructed to ask:
“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?”
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News’ senior medical analyst, commented on the new directive, explaining, “The idea behind this is that obesity is connected directly to other costly chronic health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol and mostly inflammation in the body.”
He continued: “This could present an unpredictable and impactful cost to the health system, which is already overburdened.”
How it could affect visa applicants
Trump’s presidency began with swift action to toughen immigration laws, but these new medical-based restrictions could make visa approval even more difficult.
Adriana Cadena, executive director of Protecting Immigrant Families, criticized the plan as “dangerous,” arguing it could harm families who are already legally residing in the U.S. but need to renew their visas.
“Its reported breadth and secrecy drive confusion and concern that deter lawfully present immigrants and US citizens in immigrant families from getting help and care for which they qualify under federal law,” Cadena said, according to the Associated Press.
Immigration attorney Steven Heller added that this new guidance could signal a shift in how immigration officers assess applications.
“The new guidance is about messaging,” he explained. “They are being given clearance to use the ‘totality of the circumstances’ as a sword, rather than a shield.”
The White House response
While critics have labeled the proposed policy extreme, the White House has defended it as a practical move to protect taxpayers.
Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement:
”It’s no secret the Trump administration is putting the interests of the American people first. This includes enforcing policies that ensure our immigration system is not a burden on the American taxpayer.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 40% of American adults are considered obese, a condition that increases the risk of diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
