US Tightens Visa Issuance, Diabetics To Obesity Threatened Not To Enter

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Marco Rubio has notified of diplomatic missions abroad that the United States will consider obesity, diabetes, cancer and other health conditions as reasons for visa rejection, according to a report on Thursday, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to reduce immigration.

Citing State Department cables dated November 6, The Washington Post reported Foreign Minister Rubio informed the US consulate and embassy about the directives, a move that is expected to tighten screening procedures for visa applicants, including South Koreans who wish to migrate to the US.

The directive was issued under the rules of the "public burden" of the US immigration law governing visa refusal or Green Card if an applicant is expected to depend primarily on the US government to meet the needs of life.

"You have to consider the health of the applicant," the cable reads, according to the newspaper, quoted by The Korea Times November 15.

"Specific medical conditions include, but are not limited to cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disease, neurological disease, and mental health condition can require treatment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars," he continued.

The document also suggests visa officers consider obesity when deciding to issue visas, saying obesity can cause sleep apnea, high blood pressure and clinical depression, the daily wrote.

The department's guidelines also appeal to visa officers to consider applicants ineligible to enter the US for other reasons, including whether they have passed retirement age and how many dependents, such as children or the elderly, have, among other factors.

When asked to confirm the cable report, Tommy Pigott, deputy principal spokesman for the State Department, said that "not a secret anymore" President Trump's administration " puts the interests of the American people first."

"This includes enforcing policies that ensure our immigration system does not burden American taxpayers," he said in response to questions from Yonhap News Agency.

It is known, under President Trump's "America First" policy, his government has moved to tighten immigration regulations and tighten border security, while pledging to reduce the waste of taxpayers' money.