As part of the tightening of the Trump administration’s migration policy, the State Department instructed consular agents, in a telegram whose content was confirmed by Agence France-Presse (AFP), to consider different pathologies as criteria for refusing visas to foreigners wishing to enter the United States.
“You must take into account the health of an applicant”says the telegram sent on November 6 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to American embassies and consulates around the world, first revealed by the specialized site KFF Health News et the content of which has been confirmed by the Washington Post and the AFP.
“Certain medical conditions – including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases and mental health disorders – can require care worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. » Embassies are also asked to assess whether dependents have “disabilities, chronic illnesses or other special needs and require care”.
The State Department guidance also asks consular officers to consider certain new grounds for inadmissibility, including whether they are over retirement age, the number of dependents they have — children or elderly parents — and whether any of those dependents have “special needs” or disabilities, adds the Washington Post.
Medical visit
The United States is one of the countries most affected by obesity in the world, due in particular to diet and lack of physical exercise. Since his return to power in January, President Donald Trump has made the fight against illegal immigration a top priority, but he has also considerably toughened the conditions for entry into the United States for regular migrants.
Furthermore, the State Department has revoked tens of thousands of visas of people in the United States, including for opinions deemed un-American.
“It’s no secret that the Trump administration puts the interests of the American people first”said State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott in an email. “This includes implementing policies to ensure that our immigration system is not a burden on American taxpayers”he added.
Long-term visa applicants must already undergo a medical examination and are screened for communicable diseases.
