Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Medical Examination for Visa or Immigration Benefit

A Civil Surgeon argues against significant changes to the immigration medical exam requirements, citing logistical burdens and low clinical relevance for several proposed additions. The commenter specifically opposes adding tests for tattoos, cholesterol, and HSV antibodies, while suggesting nuanced approaches for substance testing and infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.

The commenter, a private individual, opposes the proposed changes that would require panel physicians to provide assessments for public charge analysis. They argue that consular officers lack the medical training to interpret such information and that using medical exams for immigration restriction is a regressive and political use of science.

The commenter argues against the requirement for routine HSV-1 and HSV-2 serologic testing for asymptomatic individuals, citing a lack of clinical utility and public health benefit. They request a clear scientific and legal justification for the requirement, noting that it contradicts major medical organization guidelines and may violate principles of necessity and data minimization.

A pediatric gastroenterologist/hepatologist with decades of experience in academic institutions opposes the proposed medical examination requirements. The commenter argues that excluding individuals based on tattoos, obesity, or hypertension is irrational and not data-based, and suggests focusing instead on incurable infectious diseases.