'Immigrant could become public charge': Getting US visa could soon be harder for many

A new directive from the Trump administration could make it harder for foreigners with certain health conditions to obtain visas to live in the United States. The State Department has instructed consular officers worldwide to weigh applicants’ medical histories and their ability to afford treatment when deciding visa eligibility — a move critics say could open the door to discrimination and arbitrary decisions. The State Department has directed visa officers to “consider an applicant’s health” when assessing whether they could become a “public charge” — someone likely to rely on government assistance. The guidance lists several conditions that could be factored into decisions, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic and neurological disor