Story perspectives

Trump's Visa Directive Targets Health Risks, Hits Immigrants

11/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

In 2023, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a visa directive restricting applicants with severe health conditions and prioritizing financial capacity.
About 300,000 people of Bangladeshi descent resided in the United States in 2023, with 71% as immigrants.
Experts warn the policy could raise visa denials, especially for permanent-residency applicants.
Former Bangladesh Ambassador M Humayun Kabir says the directive aims to curb cyclical migration and would burden health-concerned families.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation significantly increased immigration from Asia and Africa, contributing to the current 300,000 Bangladeshi residents in the U.S. Trump's 2023 visa directive reflects ongoing tensions in immigration policy.

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Story summary

In 2023, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a visa directive restricting applicants with severe health conditions and prioritizing financial capacity.
About 300,000 people of Bangladeshi descent resided in the United States in 2023, with 71% as immigrants.
Experts warn the policy could raise visa denials, especially for permanent-residency applicants.
Former Bangladesh Ambassador M Humayun Kabir says the directive aims to curb cyclical migration and would burden health-concerned families.

1 / 2