PermanentVisa

“Trump” Bans Visas to People with Diabetes and Obesity — In Reality, It Is Only Temporary Suspension of “Permanent Visas”

Thai PBS Verify investigated a social media post claiming that President Donald Trump ordered visa denials to people with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease because they might be considered a burden to the country. In reality, the measure was a temporary suspension of permanent visas until authorities could confirm that immigrants would not become a public burden. Under the U.S. law, visas are not granted to individuals with communicable diseases. Scholars noted that the measure directly affected the public and reflected a growing distance in the Thai–U.S. relation.

Jan 16, 2026