Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
6h ago

U.S. Tightens Visa Screening, Citing Health Risks Under Public‑Charge Rule

Consular officers gain wider discretion after DHS said no bright-line method exists for judging who may rely on public support.

US visa crackdown: The “public charge” clause is a component of long-standing immigration regulations that bar those who are believed to most likely need government assistance.
Diabetes, Obesity, Heart Disease: 4 Health Lessons Hidden Behind the U.S. Visa Crackdown (Credits: iStock)

Overview

  • A State Department cable directs embassies and consulates to factor applicants’ underlying health and lifetime risk of becoming a public charge into visa decisions.
  • The guidance names cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic and neurological disorders, and mental health conditions, and it flags obesity for possible consideration because of long-term costs.
  • Officers are instructed to review prior use of government assistance and weigh age, family status, assets, resources, finances, education and skills under a totality-of-circumstances approach.
  • The cable asks whether applicants can cover expected medical expenses without public aid over their lifespans, with determinations made without a bright-line test as DHS acknowledged in September.
  • Legal advocates warn the policy asks non-medical officials to make speculative health judgments and risks discriminatory outcomes, and it fits into broader tightening that includes a $250 Visa Integrity Fee.