Although the specific reasons why someone may be considered inadmissible to the U.S. as a legal immigrant change slightly from year to year, grounds for inadmissibility generally fall in a few categories, including:
Health concerns, such as failing to receive certain vaccinations, contraction of a communicable disease, or a history of drug abuse
A history of criminal convictions for offenses like drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, human trafficking, and any crime considered to be one of “moral turpitude”
Perceived threats to national security
Likelihood that an immigrant will end up dependent on the government in order to survive
Negative impact on the U.S. labor market, including the likelihood that an immigrant will take jobs that U.S. citizens are equally qualified for
Fraud during the visa application process
A history of prior violations of U.S. immigration law and/or removal based on such violations
There are a few additional miscellaneous grounds for inadmissibility that may apply in very specific situations. An immigration attorney in the area could provide further clarity about each of these categories of inadmissibility, as well as inform an individual on any issues that may impede a prospective immigrant’s application process.