A change in how U.S. immigration officials assess visa applications has raised questions about the relationship between medical conditions, financial resources, and eligibility to enter the country.
In November 2025, the Trump administration issued guidance instructing consular officers to examine applicants’ health and financial circumstances more closely when assessing whether they might become a “public charge”—a term used in U.S. immigration law to describe someone likely to become primarily dependent on certain forms of government support.
The reported guidance identified conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and certain mental and physical health problems as factors that could be considered when evaluating an applicant’s circumstances. The development prompted concern among immigration advocates and legal experts about how the guidance might be applied. (Associated Press)
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