are medical problems restricted by law ?

[Captain Oates 910]

I have already done a medical in Glasgow when I did my K1 a couple of years ago - and it was ok.

Am I right in thinking that immigration law is only interested in infectious stuff like AIDS and tuberculosis and the various kinds of religious fundamentalism (joke)..plus drug use of course...

For instance, everyone has their blood pressure taken and all the other stuff which is part of a general health check but not likely to infect the pure bred human stock in the US with foreign germs, and I assume this is just to run the bill up and is not anything that could be taken into account under US immigration law.

It always made me laugh when they check that your bits and bobs are ok for K1 - I wonder how many USC fiancé's have not already done it with their foreign fiancés and therefore have all the bio creepy crawlies already - happily running round their bodies in the US !!! ? Apart from those based in Colorado, I reckon it's - well - the minority ? We will never know but it does seem daft..

and as for K3/cr1 - the US spouse must already share 100% of their spouses bio load and therefore the alien demon germs have already landed in the US...

I hear the sound of stable doors shutting after the horse has bolted

Back to the question - has anyone ever been rejected for smoking or high blood pressure or indeed un-dangerous mental illnesses (why are you looking at me)

alan

[James Michelle 0]

I have already done a medical in Glasgow when I did my K1 a couple of years ago - and it was ok.

Am I right in thinking that immigration law is only interested in infectious stuff like AIDS and tuberculosis and the various kinds of religious fundamentalism (joke)..plus drug use of course...

For instance, everyone has their blood pressure taken and all the other stuff which is part of a general health check but not likely to infect the pure bred human stock in the US with foreign germs, and I assume this is just to run the bill up and is not anything that could be taken into account under US immigration law.

It always made me laugh when they check that your bits and bobs are ok for K1 - I wonder how many USC fiancé's have not already done it with their foreign fiancés and therefore have all the bio creepy crawlies already - happily running round their bodies in the US !!! ? Apart from those based in Colorado, I reckon it's - well - the minority ? We will never know but it does seem daft..

and as for K3/cr1 - the US spouse must already share 100% of their spouses bio load and therefore the alien demon germs have already landed in the US...

I hear the sound of stable doors shutting after the horse has bolted

Back to the question - has anyone ever been rejected for smoking or high blood pressure or indeed un-dangerous mental illnesses (why are you looking at me)

alan

Hehehe I'm not looking at you I'm looking to what you wrote... But huh mental illnesses??? i dont think so!!.. peace

[arwensun1965 0]

Hi Alan

By what I have read on VJ and other bits and bobs I do not think minor mental illness is a problem, nor is smoking normal fags or even the odd drink. I think you know the answers already as you have like me been through it all before, we should have inspected by and approved by US immigration stamped on our foreheads.

Janice

[homesick_american 1]

I heard of a case where untreated high blood pressure prevented someone from getting a visa initially, so it's probably a bigger deal than you think.

I think the reason they do so many health checks is because they don't want American taxpayers to have to fund healthcare for an unhealthy immigrant. The US does have a public healthcare system and in some areas (usually those with high rates of poverty and/or illegal immigration) it is so cripplingly expensive to run that some hospitals may actually have to be shut down.

This is just my guess as to why they do it.

[Captain Oates 910]

I heard of a case where untreated high blood pressure prevented someone from getting a visa initially, so it's probably a bigger deal than you think.

I think the reason they do so many health checks is because they don't want American taxpayers to have to fund healthcare for an unhealthy immigrant. The US does have a public healthcare system and in some areas (usually those with high rates of poverty and/or illegal immigration) it is so cripplingly expensive to run that some hospitals may actually have to be shut down.

This is just my guess as to why they do it.

That's really interesting ! - if that is a consideration, then fatties and motorbike riders and jay walkers and provocative big mouths would be high risk on the US health provisions also..... (I am all of those)

hum - think i will keep quiet if they ask me about high risk stuff....

I will take some cialis the night before - that drops blood pressure 30 points - but taking it can be detected without even a blood test unfortunately

alan

[kitkat1 5]

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/inel...ities_1364.html

Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Visas or Admission.-Except as otherwise provided in this Act, aliens who are inadmissible under the following paragraphs are ineligible to receive visas and ineligible to be admitted to the United States:

(1) Health-related grounds.-

(A) In general.-Any alien-

(i) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to have a communicable disease of public health significance, which shall include infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome,

(ii) except as provided in subparagraph © who seeks admission as an immigrant, or who seeks adjustment of status to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and who has failed to present documentation of having received vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, which shall include at least the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B and hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices,

(iii) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Attorney General)-

(I) to have a physical or mental disorder and behavior associated with the disorder that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others, or

(II) to have had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder, which behavior has posed a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others and which behavior is likely to recur or to lead to other harmful behavior, or

(iv) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to be a drug abuser or addict, is inadmissible.

[Captain Oates 910]

Good one kitty !

so really you have to be infectious or barking mad

so being a likely burden on the public hospitals is not a factor ! excellent data well done.

I wonder if the untreated blood pressure case was an urban myth or whether it was high cos he didnt want his wife to know they had found the you know what !

[lucyrich 20]

In addition to the specific medical grounds of inadmissibility, where they're primarily concerned with contagious stuff that could make people sick here in the US, health is also a factor in the public charge grounds of admissibility:

INA 212 (4) Public charge.-

(A) In general.-Any alien who, in the opinion of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa, or in the opinion of the Attorney General at the time of application for admission or adjustment of status, is likely at any time to become a public charge is inadmissible.

(B) Factors to be taken into account.-

(i) In determining whether an alien is excludable under this paragraph, the consular officer or the Attorney General shall at a minimum consider the alien's-

(I) age;

(II) health;

(III) family status;

(IV) assets, resources, and financial status; and

(V) educaltion and skills

They have grounds in the statute to deny a visa if they believe your health conditions will make it difficult for you to be employed, or will require you to spend so much for medical care that you can't afford to support yourself.

[cartaverde 12]

(I) to have a physical or mental disorder and behavior associated with the disorder that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others, or

(II) to have had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder, which behavior has posed a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others and which behavior is likely to recur or to lead to other harmful behavior, or

(iv) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to be a drug abuser or addict, is inadmissible.

Uh? "physical disorder" ??? Does that mean handicaps in PC terms?

Also what would these mental or physical disorders listed be? Epilepsy can be a danger for the person itself, and I imagine it would qualify as a 'physical disorder' as I see it.. autism and asperger and add would be classifiable under harmful behavior .. Sexual orientation probably in some states... smoking cigarettes is a behavior that may pose threat to property or welfare of the alien or the others ... being obese is a harmful behavior that can pose a threat to the health etc. And so on and so on...

[Captain Oates 910]

Summary - Basically they have lots of stuff they can refuse you on if they think you will infect the herd or cost em money - or they can use these excuses if they don't like your politics just like they put al capone in alcatraz for tax evasion....

It's amazing that the UK let my USC wife into the UK as a resident with a 10 minute interview in chicago and no health check, even though the UK is a haven of healthy people compared to the US with it's AIDS problems and millions in jail....

Anyway, isn't it all irrelevant when foreigners can enter the USA (and it's citizens) as visitors for months at a time and do all the infecting and mental rampaging they want without any prior health checks...(and become a public charge if they have no insurance or money)

I suppose these regulations were drawn up before the jet age when people didn't pop in and out on visits...

ok so the answer is that they can stop you if you are infectious and they can stop you if you are dangerously nuts and they can stop you if have a health condition unless you are very rich and can afford to be sick without becoming a public charge - and then they can't.

[homesick_american 1]

That's really interesting ! - if that is a consideration, then fatties and motorbike riders and jay walkers and provocative big mouths would be high risk on the US health provisions also..... (I am all of those)

They're high risk anywhere.

hum - think i will keep quiet if they ask me about high risk stuff....

No, you have to tell the truth. I've never heard of someone being rejected for being overweight or a biker. They do a bunch of blood tests anyway, so they'll find out if you have HIV/Hep C. I'm not sure they do routine drug screenings, but if you're taking drugs now would be an excellent time to stop.

I will take some cialis the night before - that drops blood pressure 30 points - but taking it can be detected without even a blood test unfortunately

alan

I wouldn't do that if I were you. If you have high blood pressure and it's not being treated, I recommend seeing your doctor who may prescribe medication to control it. In the USA doctors are sometimes very aggressive in treating hypertension and once someone gets to about 130/90, they start really pushing lifestyle change/medication. In the UK your systolic has to hit 140 before they start to get worried, according to my GP. Taking pills for hypertension isn't the end of the world. If you have high blood pressure but it's normal when you're on meds, you'd probably be OK.

[homesick_american 1]

Good one kitty !

so really you have to be infectious or barking mad

so being a likely burden on the public hospitals is not a factor ! excellent data well done.

I wonder if the untreated blood pressure case was an urban myth or whether it was high cos he didnt want his wife to know they had found the you know what !

I wouldn't have said it if I thought it was untrue.

They can actually deny you for things other than infectious diseases or mental disorders...I hate to break it to you. That comes straight from the FAQs on this very site.

Also what would these mental or physical disorders listed be? Epilepsy can be a danger for the person itself, and I imagine it would qualify as a 'physical disorder' as I see it.. autism and asperger and add would be classifiable under harmful behavior .. Sexual orientation probably in some states... smoking cigarettes is a behavior that may pose threat to property or welfare of the alien or the others ... being obese is a harmful behavior that can pose a threat to the health etc. And so on and so on...

What makes you think people with Asperger's are likely to harm themselves or other people? I have Asperger's.

I'm waiting.

[homesick_american 1]

Summary - Basically they have lots of stuff they can refuse you on if they think you will infect the herd or cost em money - or they can use these excuses if they don't like your politics just like they put al capone in alcatraz for tax evasion....

No; it's not like that at all. Infectious diseases do present public health problems, so we're well within our rights to keep people like that out of the USA until they're no longer a threat to public health. Judging from some of the comments from Europeans here who now live in the USA, I don't think they use left-wing politics to keep people out.

It's amazing that the UK let my USC wife into the UK as a resident with a 10 minute interview in chicago and no health check, even though the UK is a haven of healthy people compared to the US with it's AIDS problems and millions in jail....

Eh...have you seen the spiraling rates of TB in the UK? Also, immigrants (regardless of status) and visitors cost the NHS millions of pounds every year. The UK absolutely should do health checks on immigrants. That it doesn't is completely insane. Also, having lived in the UK for six years I strongly disagree that it's a haven of healthy people. That simply isn't true. It has some of the worst cancer survival rates in Europe and is often worse than the USA with its big bad private healthcare system. Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc. are all epidemic here...and the UK is worse than the USA in terms of diseases caused by alcohol. Healthy? Hardly. Right now I'd say overall it is marginally better than the USA, and that's WITH universal, free-at-the-point-of-use healthcare. Clearly, the NHS needs to do better!

Anyway, isn't it all irrelevant when foreigners can enter the USA (and it's citizens) as visitors for months at a time and do all the infecting and mental rampaging they want without any prior health checks...(and become a public charge if they have no insurance or money)

*shrug* You'd have to ask the government about that one. You couldn't require a £200 health check for every tourist. Nobody would ever visit. They have to balance economic considerations against public health considerations. I suppose this is why immigrants get medical exams and tourists don't.

I suppose these regulations were drawn up before the jet age when people didn't pop in and out on visits...

I'd be surprised if they were not revised within the last five years.

ok so the answer is that they can stop you if you are infectious and they can stop you if you are dangerously nuts and they can stop you if have a health condition unless you are very rich and can afford to be sick without becoming a public charge - and then they can't.

Please, let's not be overly dramatic.

They CAN flunk you on the medical. That doesn't mean that they WILL. People rarely fail the medical exam; if you're going to be denied a visa, it's almost always for something else.

If your BP is 300/200, they very well may deny you. If it's 150/100, you'll most likely be fine...or they may ask your GP to write to them with an explanation. If you have a history of depression, you'll be asked for a letter. If you're a paranoid schizophrenic with violent tendencies, count on being denied. If you have stage 4 cancer, count on a denial. If you go in there high on coke, count on being denied.

The point I'm trying to make (because I'm very pedantic, it's because I'm an Aspie) is that they can deny you for more than just infectious diseases or mental disorders. I'm not saying you're going to be denied, though if you shared more info with us I'm sure people here could give you a better idea of what your chances are. If you're just an overweight biker, I would not worry.

[Captain Oates 910]

That's really interesting ! - if that is a consideration, then fatties and motorbike riders and jay walkers and provocative big mouths would be high risk on the US health provisions also..... (I am all of those)

They're high risk anywhere.

hum - think i will keep quiet if they ask me about high risk stuff....

No, you have to tell the truth. I've never heard of someone being rejected for being overweight or a biker. They do a bunch of blood tests anyway, so they'll find out if you have HIV/Hep C. I'm not sure they do routine drug screenings, but if you're taking drugs now would be an excellent time to stop.

I will take some cialis the night before - that drops blood pressure 30 points - but taking it can be detected without even a blood test unfortunately

alan

I wouldn't do that if I were you. If you have high blood pressure and it's not being treated, I recommend seeing your doctor who may prescribe medication to control it. In the USA doctors are sometimes very aggressive in treating hypertension and once someone gets to about 130/90, they start really pushing lifestyle change/medication. In the UK your systolic has to hit 140 before they start to get worried, according to my GP. Taking pills for hypertension isn't the end of the world. If you have high blood pressure but it's normal when you're on meds, you'd probably be OK.

Never done any drugs/never smoked/ never had any health condition not caused by indian curries. I have enough dosh to pay my own way forever without food stamps or hand outs...

I think the health industry in the US (and coming to the UK)is quite happy to dope people down to keep em living in a zombified style while costing peanuts to the insurance companies so they can rake in the insurance premiums for an extra 20 years.. the whole ethos is different in the US and based on profit margins and rich life styles for doctors who are regarded as gods.... it's all about money and I can't see much ethics or genuine patient interest - so I reckon I will make my own decisions in my own health interests which has kept me problem free for 60 years come november... I have worked with men on beta blockers who live miserable dull lives, repeat themselves and have vacant smiles and hydraulics problems, so economics based blood pressure standards are not for me...and the other 2 newer angio drug groups are not side effect free and will probably lead to problems in 10 years - wait and see !

I can always nip back the UK (best country in the world said Tony Blair this week) and get patched up for nothing...

Anyway, 3 score years and 10 (plus tax) will do me and I can do without being a 90 year old medicare dependant drug pickle

ok going to lay down in a dark room and prepare for the medical...

ps doctors have the highest illegal drug use and suicide rate of any profession so lets hope he/she is not high when they do it

[homesick_american 1]

Never done any drugs/never smoked/ never had any health condition not caused by indian curries. I have enough dosh to pay my own way forever without food stamps or hand outs...

Sounds like you'll be OK then.

I think the health industry in the US (and coming to the UK)is quite happy to dope people down to keep em living in a zombified style while costing peanuts to the insurance companies so they can rake in the insurance premiums for an extra 20 years.. the whole ethos is different in the US and based on profit margins and rich life styles for doctors who are regarded as gods.... it's all about money and I can't see much ethics or genuine patient interest - so I reckon I will make my own decisions in my own health interests which has kept me problem free for 60 years come november... I have worked with men on beta blockers who live miserable dull lives, repeat themselves and have vacant smiles and hydraulics problems, so economics based blood pressure standards are not for me...and the other 2 newer angio drug groups are not side effect free and will probably lead to problems in 10 years - wait and see !

*shrug* I have my own issues with the US healthcare system, but I don't think it's as dark and conspiratorial as you think it is. My first job after uni was in a medical school and I got to know the fourth-year students very well. A couple of them said they were looking forward to making piles of money, but you'd be surprised how many of them were gunning for residencies in areas of medicine that aren't well-paid, such as public health and family practice.

I can always nip back the UK (best country in the world said Tony Blair this week) and get patched up for nothing...

Actually, I don't think you can; even though you're a UKC I don't believe you're legally entitled to NHS care once you become a permanent resident in the USA. That's not to say you couldn't get away with it, but you would essentially be stealing from people like me, who actually PAY for the system.

Anyway, 3 score years and 10 (plus tax) will do me and I can do without being a 90 year old medicare dependant drug pickle

ok going to lay down in a dark room and prepare for the medical...

ps doctors have the highest illegal drug use and suicide rate of any profession so lets hope he/she is not high when they do it

It sounds to me like you sort of have a chip on your shoulder about the USA; are you sure you actually want to live there? I can't wait to leave the UK, but I didn't have a bad attitude about it when I first got here. It took a few years for me to start to dislike it.