Trump Plans to Block Obese Immigrants and Special Needs Children from U.S.

The US government, under Trump’s rule, will now say no to immigrant visas if you are overweight or have children with special needs. This new rule comes from a memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told embassies to check if applicants or their families have health issues like obesity or special care needs.

Health checks will now look closely at whether an applicant or their family has conditions like obesity or special needs. These can lead to costly medical care or affect a person’s ability to work. This rule applies only to those wanting to live permanently in the United States, not short-term visitors.

The US has always checked if an immigrant might rely on government aid, called being a “public charge.” But now, Trump’s team is stricter, using this health rule as another way to block people from coming in.

Also read: Trump Wants Companies to Pay $100,000 a Year for H-1B Visas: What It Means for OFWs

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Officials say the goal is to protect American taxpayers and stop immigrants from becoming a financial burden, but here is the twist, America is already one of the most overweight countries in the world. About 40 percent of people are obese and many of those live in states that supported Trump. And get this, Trump himself does not have a perfect body mass index so it seems a bit odd to use obesity to block immigrants.

For Filipinos planning to move to the US, this means you should expect tougher health checks. If you or your family members have health issues, it might hurt your chances of getting a visa.

So if you dream of living in the US, remember it is not just money and papers that matter anymore. Your health could make or break your application. Stay prepared and keep updated to avoid surprises.

Featured image credit: namwella1961 | X; Canva Pro