Overview
- An internal cable instructs consular officers to factor an expanded list of conditions—including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, metabolic and neurological disorders, mental health conditions, and obesity—into public charge determinations.
- Officers are directed to assess whether applicants can cover anticipated treatment over their entire expected lifespan without relying on U.S. public benefits, and to consider dependents’ health needs when judging employability.
- The State Department confirmed the guidance and emphasized that having a medical condition alone does not automatically disqualify an applicant, with decisions to be made individually.
- Immigration attorneys say the directive departs from traditional focus on communicable diseases and risks conflicting with the Foreign Affairs Manual’s caution against “what if” denials based on speculative scenarios.
- Reporting indicates the guidance technically spans most visa categories but is expected to be applied chiefly in permanent-residence cases, with operational details for nonimmigrant visas still unclear.