Overview
- A Nov. 6 cable instructs U.S. embassies and consulates to consider obesity alongside cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, diabetes, metabolic, neurological and mental‑health conditions when assessing visa eligibility.
- Guidance tells officers to judge whether applicants can pay for potentially expensive, long‑term care over their expected lifespan without relying on public assistance.
- State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott and White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the move as longstanding law enforcement intended to prevent financial burdens on taxpayers.
- Attorneys and advocates say the directive expands screening beyond communicable diseases, grants broad discretion to nonmedical officers, and is likely to affect people seeking immigrant or other long‑term visas, with some humanitarian categories excluded.
- Reporting cites an anonymous State Department official saying political leaders drafted the cable outside normal career‑staff review, and coverage notes the prevalence of obesity and diabetes means many applicants could be affected.