A new U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly allows visa denial based on applicants’ health, including obesity and certain chronic illnesses. The move aims to “reduce potential healthcare costs for American taxpayers” by tightening medical screenings during visa reviews.
The policy reportedly extends to conditions such as “cancer, diabetes, and mental health disorders,” broadening the criteria beyond obesity. A memo sent to U.S. embassies directs officers to consider cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as possible reasons for rejection and to assess whether applicants can pay for medical care “without government assistance.”

Officials argue the measure protects the healthcare system from financial strain, noting that “chronic illnesses can result in medical costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.” They describe the rule as a preventative step to ensure fiscal responsibility.

However, immigration experts have voiced concerns. Charles Wheeler from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network said the guidelines may “conflict with existing provisions in the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual” and warned that visa officers “are not qualified to make medical judgments about applicants’ future health needs.”Critics argue that linking immigration to health adds “complexity and potential bias” and undermines fairness. Many question whether denying entry based on health aligns with U.S. values of equality, warning that the policy could affect thousands of applicants worldwide.