In a significant policy shift announced by the US State Department on November 7, 2025, under the Trump administration, immigrant visa applicants with certain chronic health conditions could now face denial if they are deemed likely to rely on public benefits. This update expands the “health-related grounds of inadmissibility” under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), focusing on conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, neurological and mental health issues, and other ongoing illnesses that might require long-term medical care potentially costing “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Previously, health screenings for US visas (Form I-693) primarily checked for communicable diseases like tuberculosis or HIV. However, this new directive empowers consular officers to assess whether an applicant’s health could lead to excessive public charge risks, potentially blocking family-based (beneficiary) visas, green cards, and even non-immigrant visas like F-1 student visas. The guidance also urges officers to evaluate the health of dependents, asking: “Do any of the dependents have disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or other special needs and require care such that the applicant cannot maintain employment?”

Key Impacts on Beneficiaries:

• Family Sponsorships: If you’re sponsoring a relative (e.g., spouse, child, or parent), their medical exam results could now trigger denials if conditions suggest future reliance on US social services.
• Common Conditions at Risk: Diabetes (Type 2, affecting about 10% of the global population), obesity (BMI over 30, impacting 40% of Americans per CDC), hypertension, heart disease (leading global cause of death per WHO), and mental health disorders with treatment needs.
• What This Means for Vietnamese Applicants: Vietnam is a top source of US family reunification visas. With rising chronic disease rates in Vietnam (e.g., diabetes affects over 7% of adults per WHO data), many families could be affected. Delays or denials might extend wait times, already averaging 1-2 years for IR-1/CR-1 visas.

At Truong Law Firm, PLLC, we specialize in US immigration for Vietnamese clients and understand the unique challenges this poses for family reunifications. Our team of experienced attorneys can review your case early, strengthen your Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), and prepare for potential waivers to minimize risks. We’ve successfully helped hundreds of Vietnamese families overcome health-related hurdles in visa applications—contact us today for a free consultation to protect your path to the American dream.

How to Prepare with Truong Law Firm, PLLC’s Guidance:

1. 1. Get a Pre-Exam Consultation: Schedule with a USCIS-approved civil surgeon through our network to identify and mitigate risks before your official exam.
   2. Strong Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): Our experts will help sponsors demonstrate robust financial stability (income 125% above poverty guidelines) and include detailed medical cost projections to counter public charge concerns.
   3. Waiver Options: We guide you through inadmissibility waivers (Form I-601), proving extreme hardship to US citizen/permanent resident relatives—our approval rates exceed the national average of 30-40%.
   4. Stay Updated: Our firm monitors USCIS.gov and State Department alerts daily, providing personalized updates to keep your application on track.

This change reflects broader immigration enforcement priorities, but it’s not a blanket ban—decisions remain case-by-case. If you’re in the visa process, don’t navigate this alone. Truong Law Firm, PLLC offers bilingual support in English and Vietnamese, with offices equipped to serve clients in Ho Chi Minh City and beyond. Visit truonglegal.com or call us to get started—let’s turn potential obstacles into successful reunions.

Sources: US State Department Directive (Nov 2025), USCIS Policy Manual Update, and reports from ABC News, KFF Health News, CBS News, and The Hill.

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