美政府收紧签证审查 更严格评估申请人健康状况与财务能力

Core Points - The Trump administration has issued new directives requiring U.S. embassies and consulates to conduct stricter evaluations of visa applicants' health and financial status, potentially making it more difficult for individuals with diabetes, obesity, or insufficient financial resources to obtain visas or long-term residency [1] - The directive, communicated through an internal cable by the State Department, mandates visa officers to thoroughly assess whether applicants may rely on U.S. public benefits after entry, considering factors such as age, health, family situation, financial resources, education, skills, English proficiency, and past use of public assistance [1] - The new regulations expand the evaluation of health factors, listing chronic conditions like obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular, metabolic or neurological diseases, depression, and anxiety as potential grounds for visa denial due to associated high medical costs [1] - Visa officers are also required to review applicants' financial documents, including bank accounts, assets, investments, and retirement funds [1] - Experts from the Migration Policy Institute suggest that this guidance could significantly reduce immigration levels, indicating a revival of the "public charge" policy logic promoted during Trump's first term [1] - Immigration rights organizations have criticized the measure as "dangerous and vague," arguing that it may lead legal immigrant families in the U.S. to forgo deserved social assistance out of fear [1] Additional Information - The new regulations primarily apply to immigrant visa applications, but some experts warn that their impact may extend to family members of residents in the U.S. applying for visitor visas [2]