Trump gov’t directs visa officers to consider obesity, diabetes in denials: report

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told overseas diplomatic missions that the United States will consider obesity, diabetes, cancer and other health conditions as grounds to deny visas, a report said Thursday, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to reduce immigration. Citing a Nov. 6 State Department cable, The Washington Post reported that Rubio told U.S. consulates and embassies about the directive -- a move expected to toughen screening procedures for visa applicants, including South Koreans seeking educational, business and other opportunities in the United States. The directive was issued under the "public charge" rule — a U.S. immigration law under which visas or green cards can be denied if an applicant is expected to become primarily dependent on the U.S. government for subsistence. "You must consider an applicant's health," the cable read, according to the newspaper. "Certain medical conditions — including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mentWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times