Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Trump Will Block Visa Applicants Who Cannot Prove They Can Get Health Insurance

Trump Will Block Visa Applicants Who Cannot Prove They Can Get Health Insurance

The move appears to be the latest front in the administration’s extensive efforts to restrict immigration to the US.
President Donald Trump invoked broad executive powers Friday, issuing a proclamation to block the entry of immigrants applying for visas who cannot prove that they will be able to obtain health insurance within 30 days of entering the United States.

Trump’s order takes effect Nov. 3 and applies to those who apply for immigrant visas abroad and do not have health insurance set up within a month after their entry or the financial means to pay for medical costs.

The move appears to be the latest front in the administration’s extensive efforts to restrict immigration. Trump’s proclamation cites the same provision of law he used in the 2017 travel ban to block people from coming into the country and a later ban on asylum-seekers who crossed into the country without authorization. It will apply to US citizens' foreign national spouses who want to live in the country.

“There has not been a use of the suspension of entry power in this way,” said Pratheepan Gulasekaram, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, referring to Trump’s use of the powers denying entry. “This is shocking.”

In his proclamation, Trump said the move would protect taxpayers from the costs of health care associated with some immigrants.

“We must continue that tradition while also addressing the challenges facing our healthcare system, including protecting both it and the American taxpayer from the burdens of uncompensated care,” Trump wrote in the proclamation. “Continuing to allow entry into the United States of certain immigrants who lack health insurance or the demonstrated ability to pay for their healthcare would be detrimental to these interests.”

The proclamation comes after the Trump administration issued a rule to deny permanent residency to immigrants in the US who immigration officials believe would not be able to support themselves financially. The State Department made changes in its policy manual to screen those applying for entry from abroad for being potential “public charges.”

“It is going to, without a single act of Congress, have another big effect on the population we are going to see in the future,” said Ur Jaddou, a former Department of Homeland Security attorney and official in the Obama administration.

Jaddou said the proclamation would work in hand with the State Department policy and restrict immigration to wealthier immigrants.

“It's like two concentric circles. They partially join. While some people without insurance will be barred from entering under public charge, not everyone will,” she said. “So this proclamation covers those who wouldn't be barred by [the] public charge rule.”

A health insurance executive expressed similar concerns.

"While lawful immigrants qualify for [Affordable Care Act] subsidies, they'll be stuck in a catch-22 because subsidized coverage does not qualify as insurance under the proclamation," said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for Health Policy at Kaiser Family Foundation.

Other former Obama administration officials said the proclamation would cause uneasiness among citizens and immigrants alike.

“This new attempt at an immigration ban is as shameless as it is stunning,” said Doug Rand, a former Obama White House official and cofounder of Boundless Immigration. “It will be chaotic to implement and guaranteed to separate U.S. citizens from their legal immigrant spouses and other close relatives. Was this drafted over lunch today in a desperate effort to change the news cycle?”

The proclamation will not impact refugees, asylees, children of US citizens abroad, those who already have been issued immigrant visas, and those who helped the US government in Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may come up with procedures for consular officers in US embassies abroad to implement the proclamation, Trump wrote. The president also directed Pompeo to report on the necessity of the proclamation moving forward and whether adjustments would be needed.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×