According to a document obtained and verified by The Washington Post, the Trump administration instructed visa officers to consider obesity and other chronic health conditions as reasons for denying foreign nationals entry into the United States. Rubio issued this policy change via telegram on November 6 to U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, expanding existing medical screenings from only infectious diseases to a broader range of health conditions. He stated, "Certain medical conditions - including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, and mental health issues - may require medical care costing hundreds of thousands of dollars." He also advised consulates to consider obesity when deciding whether to issue a visa, noting that obesity can lead to sleep apnea, hypertension, and clinical depression. This is the latest move by the Trump administration to restrict the flow of immigration, granting consular officers significant discretion. According to senior officials at the State Department, the telegram was drafted by the politically appointed leadership of the department and was not reviewed through the normal process - a procedure that would typically include the input of career officials.
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