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Kathmandu- The Trump administration has unleashed a bombshell on U.S. immigration policy, making it tougher than ever for foreigners with chronic health issues to enter the country. In a directive issued on Thursday, applicants with conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer could be denied visas for permanent residency if they’re deemed likely to become a “public charge”—meaning they’ll burden U.S. taxpayers with massive healthcare costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
नेपालीमा पढ्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुस्
The State Department’s cable to all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide spells it out bluntly: “You must consider an applicant’s health. 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.” Obesity gets special flak, as it can trigger costly complications like asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. With diabetes affecting 10% of the global population and heart disease as the world’s top killer, this rule could slam the door on millions.
Health screenings have long been part of the visa process, focusing on communicable diseases like tuberculosis, vaccinations, and mental health disclosures. But these new guidelines supercharge it, empowering visa officers to speculate on future medical expenses, job prospects, and financial self-sufficiency based on an applicant’s health history. Charles Wheeler, a senior attorney with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, notes that while it applies to all visas, it’s primarily targeting immigrant visas (like green cards), not tourist or student ones. Immigration lawyers warn it’s overly broad and unfair, letting non-experts make subjective calls that could devastate lives.
ट्रम्पको नयाँ नियमले लाखौंको अमेरिका सपना चकनाचुर, नयाँ नीतिमा के छ ?
This is straight out of Trump’s hardline playbook: ramping up deportations of unauthorized immigrants and scaring off new arrivals. Advocacy groups are gearing up for lawsuits to block it. If you’re eyeing a move to the U.S., get your health in check—one chronic condition could crush your American dream!
