Rubio instructs US diplomats to consider obesity as a cause for rejecting visas
Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. diplomats to consider obesity as well as various chronic medical conditions among reasons for rejecting aliens seeking U.S. visas, according to excerpts from a cable reviewed by POLITICO.
Rubio’s guidance is a relatively strict interpretation of the federal government’s “public liability” rule. The rule bars potential immigrants from entering the country if they are deemed to need public assistance later, such as Supplemental Security Income and funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
“Self-sufficiency has been a long-standing principle of U.S. immigration policy, and the public ground of inadmissibility has been a part of our immigration law for more than 100 years,” the Nov. 6 cable states.
KFF Health News was first to report in the letter.
Adult obesity increases the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, respiratory problems, gallstones and gallbladder disease, according to the cable, which quotes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which notes that “all of these can require expensive, long-term care.”
Visa officers were also instructed to screen and evaluate for cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes, according to the cable.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the guidance is an extension of the administration’s efforts to focus federal spending on U.S. citizens.
“For 100 years, State Department policy has included the authority to deny visa applications that would impose a financial burden on taxpayers, such as individuals seeking publicly funded health care in the United States, which would further deplete the health resources of American citizens,” he said. “Minister [Donald] “The Trump Administration is finally putting this policy into full effect and putting Americans first.”
Trump has sought to significantly reduce legal and illegal immigration to the United States since returning to the White House in January. This effort included stricter interpretation and enforcement of existing immigration laws.
Trump and Congressional Republicans push to reach 1 million deportees Billions of dollars in funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill are going to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“It’s no secret that the Trump administration puts the interests of the American people first,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “This includes implementing policies that will ensure our immigration system is not a burden on American taxpayers.”
