Foreigners seeking visas to live in the US might be rejected if they are currently dealing with certain medical conditions, a new directive shared by the Trump administration mentioned.
The guidance was issued this week in a post by the State Department that was sent to both embassies as well as consular officials. It directs visa officers to deem applicants ineligible to enter America for several new reasons, including age or the likelihood that they might rely on public benefits.
The guidance mentioned how such people could become a public charge and a potential drain on American resources, sparking outrage as it outlined their health issues or age as risk factors.
While assessing the health of potential immigrants has been a crucial part of the visa application process for a few years, including screening for communicable diseases like TB and attaining vaccine history, experts believe the latest guidelines mostly expand the list of medical conditions to be considered and give visa officers the power to make decisions linked to immigration, depending on the health status of applicants.
The directive is part of the Trump administration’s divisive and aggressive campaign to deport migrants living without authorization in the US and dissuade others from migrating into the country.