Ukrainians have been informed about the reasons why the United States may deny them visas.
This was reported by KFF Health News.
Donald Trump’s administration is radically changing its approach to issuing American visas. The State Department has sent an internal directive to U.S. consulates, granting officers the right to deny visas to foreigners suffering from a range of common illnesses.
From now on, conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and even mental disorders may become obstacles to entry. The main criterion is whether a person could become a “financial burden” on the U.S. government.
Consular officers are now authorized to assess not only an applicant’s current health status but also to predict their future medical expenses. If there is a likelihood that treatment would require significant costs or state assistance, that alone may be grounds for denial.
A particularly concerning change is that officers will now evaluate the health not only of the applicant but also of all family members applying together. A child with a chronic illness could cause the entire family to be denied entry.
Human rights advocates are raising alarms, saying the new guidelines give officials too much discretionary power. In effect, a visa may now be denied based on assumptions about possible future health problems rather than actual medical evidence.
Many experts point out that these rules are discriminatory in nature. Most of the listed diseases are widespread and manageable with proper treatment. Denying people entry solely because of a diagnosis is a questionable practice from a human rights perspective.
However, for Trump, this move is part of a broader strategy to tighten immigration policy. In recent weeks, the White House has announced mass detentions of undocumented immigrants, new hurdles for asylum seekers, cuts to legal immigration quotas, and expanded powers for border patrol agents.
The new medical filter has become yet another barrier to entering the United States — especially for those who require ongoing medical care.
Who Is at Risk
The new restrictions affect people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, those who are overweight, patients diagnosed with cancer or cardiovascular diseases, as well as individuals with mental disorders.
Even if a condition is stable and well-controlled with medication, a consular officer may still view it as a potential risk to the U.S. budget. Families with children or elderly relatives suffering from such illnesses are also vulnerable.
Lawyers advise applicants to prepare for more thorough scrutiny of their medical documents and to be ready to prove their financial independence more convincingly than before.
