Immigration accused of being size-ist 

Source: ONE News

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New Zealand's immigration department has been accused of being size-ist, for turning away fat people.

In the latest case, an American woman claims she was refused immigration, but told she could reapply if she lost weight.

However, the Immigration Department says it is just trying to save the taxpayer money.

Connie Carrion from Cincinatti meets the criteria concerning jobs and education; however her application to reside in New Zealand was rejected.

"My immigration case worker told me that if I lost weight, I could reapply or I could file an appeal, " she says.

On its website, the Immigration Department clearly says applicants have to be healthy.

It does not specifically mention body weight, but in Carrion's case, it says her BMI or body mass index, was too high for her to be considered healthy.

But more importantly she has type two diabetes, which could cost the tax payer up to 25,000 a year.

However Carrion's diabetes may not cost the country anything at all.

Carrion says she is appealing the decision and given that most appeals have worked, she reckons the scales are tipped in her favour.