What’s Changing
Here’s everything you need to know about Donald Trump’s so-called “obesity ban” as a new group of citizens could be refused entry to the U.S.
A New Immigration Push
Before he launched his second term, Trump pledged to limit immigration. He’s moved heavily through the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to accomplish that goal. However, the use of ICE has sparked widespread protests.
Health as a Visa Hurdle
Now, Trump’s administration is making it tougher for foreigners with certain medical conditions to visit or live in the U.S. A guidance memo from the U.S. State Department outlines criteria for this initiative — one some call the “obesity ban.”
What Is the “Obesity Ban”?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 40 % of American adults are obese — a figure that raises risks for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke. The administration warns that obese visa applicants (and those with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, cancer or mental-health conditions) may be denied entry.
The Financial Test
According to the guidance, consular officers must ask:
“Does the applicant have adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalization at government expense?”
Official Response
The White House says the policy reflects putting “the interests of the American people first” and preventing the immigration system from becoming a taxpayer burden.
What This Means for Applicants
Trump tightened visa rules soon after returning to office. This new guidance expands those rules. Experts call it “dangerous,” warning it could impact immigrant families already living legally in the U.S. Immigration attorneys say the shift changes how visa decisions are framed — from looking favorably at applicants, to viewing them through the lens of what they might cost the system.
