WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed abroad diplomatic missions that the US will contemplate weight problems, diabetes, most cancers and different well being circumstances as grounds to disclaim visas, a report mentioned Thursday, as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to cut back immigration.
Citing a Nov. 6 State Division cable, The Washington Submit reported that Rubio instructed U.S. consulates and embassies in regards to the directive — a transfer anticipated to toughen screening procedures for visa candidates, together with South Koreans trying to to migrate to the U.S.
The directive was issued beneath the “public cost” rule — a U.S. immigration legislation beneath which visas or inexperienced playing cards could be denied if an applicant is predicted to develop into primarily depending on the U.S. authorities for subsistence.
“You have to contemplate an applicant’s well being,” the cable learn, in response to the newspaper.
“Sure medical circumstances — together with, however not restricted to, cardiovascular ailments, respiratory ailments, cancers, diabetes, metabolic ailments, neurological ailments, and psychological well being circumstances — can require tons of of 1000’s of {dollars}’ value of care.”
It additionally instructed that visa officers contemplate weight problems when deciding whether or not to challenge visas, saying that it could trigger sleep apnea, hypertension and scientific despair, the each day mentioned.
The division’s steering additionally calls on visa officers to contemplate candidates as ineligible for entry into the U.S. for different causes, together with whether or not they’re past retirement age and what number of dependents, equivalent to youngsters or aged dad and mom, they’ve, amongst different elements.
Requested to substantiate the reported cable, Tommy Pigott, the State Division’s principal deputy spokesperson, mentioned that it’s “no secret” that the Trump administration is “placing the pursuits of the American individuals first.”
“This consists of implementing insurance policies that guarantee our immigration system shouldn’t be a burden on the American taxpayer,” he mentioned in response to a query from Yonhap Information Company.
Beneath Trump’s “America First” coverage, his administration has moved to toughen immigration guidelines and tightened border safety, whereas vowing to cut back any waste of taxpayers’ cash.
