If you're planning on traveling to the United States, then I hope you're healthy. A U.S. travel ban may soon affect those who have obesity, diabetes, or other health problems.
According to NPR, the State Department sent new directives about those seeking visas for the U.S. The directives would make ineligible anyone who may need public assistance. Screening for diseases isn't new, but the State Department has greatly expanded the list of health problems beyond just infectious diseases.
Here's what the travel ban essentially says.
"You must consider an applicant's health," new directives reads. "Certain medical conditions - including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health conditions - can require hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of care."
It also suggested that visa offices consider obesity as well. "All of these can require expensive, long-term care," it reads. "Does the applicant have adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalization at government expense?"
Travel Ban Issued
The guidance asks visa offices to make their own judgments about people. But this creates a gray area to ban potential visa applicants on a host of issues.
"Do any of the dependents have disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or other special needs and require care such that the applicant cannot maintain employment?" the guidance asks.
Speaking with the outlet, Charles Wheeler, a senior attorney for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, says the travel ban would likely only affect those seeking permanent residence in the country. However, he notes the new guidance appears to be at odds with the State Department's own handbook. Visa officers were previously told they can't reject an applicant on a what-if scenario.
Wheeler finds the new guidelines to be troubling, especially visa offices making their own determinations.
"That's troubling because they're not medically trained, they have no experience in this area, and they shouldn't be making projections based on their own personal knowledge or bias," he said.
We'll see what comes of the new guidelines.
