Overweight foreigners seeking visas may be rejected to save healthcare costs, taxpayer expense

It also reportedly encourages visa officers to also consider conditions such as obesity.

"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?" the cable allegedly says.

Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson, confirmed the directive to Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

"It's no secret the Trump administration is putting the interests of the American people first," said Pigott in a statement. "This includes enforcing policies that ensure our immigration system is not a burden on the American taxpayer."

Non-citizen immigrants are significantly more likely to be uninsured compared to U.S. citizens, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).

In 2023, about one in five lawfully present immigrant adults were uninsured, according to KFF.

There is no federal insurance mandate for work visas such as H-1B, while coverage typically depends on the employer or individual.

"The public charge determination is 'in the opinion of the consular officer,'" the cable sent in January says - placing the burden of proof entirely on the applicant.

Officers are instructed to conduct a "comprehensive and thorough vetting" of each case and to assess "the totality of the applicant's circumstances" before issuing any visa. 

"There is no 'bright-line' test," the cable adds. "You must consider all aspects of the case and determine whether the applicant's circumstances… suggest that he is more likely than not to become a public charge at any time."

"If an applicant is uninsured and unable to show they can cover potential medical costs, like those associated with a chronic condition, that can indicate a high risk of becoming a public charge and make them a strong candidate for visa refusal," said Ries. 

"This could present an unpredictable and impactful cost to the health system, which is already overburdened," added Siegel.

"The solution," he also said, "is probably not a ban but an advisory or the need for further scrutiny or documentation to avoid the excess costs."

Siegel also said, "In other words, obesity is a signal for increased risks - it doesn't mean they are there in each case."

Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed reporting.