President Donald Trump’s administration is introducing new rules that could lead to the denial of US visas for foreigners with chronic illnesses, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health conditions.

The State Department had instructed visa officers to consider such applicants a potential burden on the US government if their treatment could require significant expenses, reports KFF Health News.

Furthermore, the US visa issuance assessment will now take into account not only the applicants’ health, but also that of their family.

Lawyers warn that the new regulations effectively give US visa officers discretion, allowing them to deny visa applications based on assumptions about the applicants’ future health.