New Trump directive could deny more visas based on health conditions, finances

Consular officials must consider a range of details, including people's age, health, family status, finances, education, skills, English proficiency and past use of public assistance.

WASHINGTON — A new directive by President Donald Trump's administration could make it more difficult for foreigners to visit or live in the United States if they have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity or lack the economic resources and assets to support themselves.

The guidance, issued last week in a cable from the State Department and obtained by The Associated Press, directs embassy and consular officials to comprehensively and thoroughly vet visa applicants to demonstrate that they will not need to rely on public benefits from the government any time after their admission in the U.S. Experts say it could further limit who gets to enter the country at a time when the Republican administration is already tightening those rules.

The directive reveals how the Trump administration interprets public charge, the concept in immigration law that foreigners can be refused entry or permanent residency status if they are likely to rely on U.S. government resources, such as certain types of cash and food aid.

While federal law already required those seeking permanent residency or legal status to prove they wouldn't be a public charge, Trump in his first term widened the range of benefit programs that could disqualify applicants, and the guidelines in the cable appear to go further in scope.

"This could lead to a substantial narrowing of immigration," said Julia Gelatt, associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute. "The Trump administration is trying to go back to the policies that it worked to implement in its first term related to public charge."