January 1, State Department Orders New Visa Crackdown

Wyatt’s Take

• U.S. embassies must now screen visa applicants under tougher rules to stop those likely to use public benefits.
• The Trump-era rule is back, closing loopholes Biden had opened, and expanding how public support is measured.
• Applicants seen as likely to need taxpayer help can be denied, with each case reviewed one by one.

The State Department has told embassies to follow strict new visa screening that revives a tougher Trump-era standard. Consular officers now must look at health, age, English skills, money, and future care needs when deciding if someone is likely to rely on public assistance.

“Self-sufficiency has been a longstanding principle of U.S. immigration policy,” the cable states, pointing out that this rule has been in law for over a century.

Those who have used government cash help or hospitals before could be denied. Officers are urged to inspect every piece of a case, including support letters and medical reports, to see if someone might end up depending on taxpayers in the future.

Older applicants close to retirement age will be watched closely to see if they can support themselves after working. The memo notes, “Long-term institutionalization (e.g., at a nursing facility) can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and should be considered.” Officers are told the decision is based on their own judgment and on all of an applicant’s information—there is no simple pass-or-fail test.

“There is no ‘bright-line’ test,” the cable warns. Consular officers have the power to deny a visa if there is a good chance the person will ever be a public charge.

A State Department official said, “For years, the American taxpayer was held hostage by the Biden administration’s disastrous open borders agenda… The Trump administration has brought an end to the era of mass immigration.” Now, staff must check all financial documents and benefits history for every applicant.

The Biden administration had eased these rules, only counting cash assistance and long-term care when denying visas. Trump’s broader definition, first made in 2019, was trimmed back by courts and the Biden team. This latest guidance returns to the stricter approach, making sure consular officers vet each applicant carefully before a visa is approved.

Read the full report here

Wyatt Matters

Our country stands on hard work and self-reliance, not handouts. Middle America knows the value of earning your keep. Making sure newcomers can pull their own weight protects taxpayers and keeps our communities strong.