Foreign doctors providing critical care in the United States are facing continued uncertainty despite a recent policy change by the Trump administration that lifts a hold on immigration applications for medical professionals. The exemption, quietly introduced, allows physicians with pending visa or green card applications to have their cases reviewed, but it does not guarantee approval, and many applicants remain anxious about the process.
Doctor Shortages and Patient Impact
Dr. Faysal Alghoula, a Libyan pulmonologist and ICU specialist, cares for approximately 1,000 patients across rural areas of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. He notes that patients often wait four to five months to see a pulmonologist, highlighting the severe shortage of specialists in underserved regions. His current visa is set to expire in September, and despite the new exemption, he fears his green card renewal may be denied. Alghoula expressed distrust in the administration, citing numerous stories of immigrants being detained at appointments for paperwork renewal. “I’m still scared to go to my interview,” he said.
Policy Background and Broader Impact
The Trump administration last year stopped reviewing green card and visa applications for individuals from countries deemed high-risk, following the shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan citizen. This year, it also paused visa applications for citizens of over 75 countries over concerns about public assistance. The Department of Homeland Security stated it aims to ensure proper screening after determining previous vetting was insufficient. Immigration attorney Greg Siskind described the measures as “making life miserable for people who are here legally so they will choose other countries.”
The pause affects thousands of researchers, entrepreneurs, and others from 39 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. Many cannot legally work, obtain health insurance, or drive, and face barriers to seeing family abroad.
Doctors Already Denied
Before the exemption, some doctors filed lawsuits to force decisions on their cases. Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab, an Iranian radiologist, sued after her green card application stalled. A federal judge ordered immigration officials to review her case, but they denied it. The 33-year-old believes it was retaliation for her lawsuit. “I feel completely confused,” she said. U.S. government lawyers cited inconsistencies in her application regarding her career plans. The new exemption does not appear to apply to her since her case was decided, but she is seeking further legal relief.
Ongoing Struggles for Immigrant Professionals
Immigrants in science and technology fields are also affected. Kaveh Javanshirjavid, an Iranian agricultural researcher, was set to start a lab job in January but cannot work without employment authorization. He relies on borrowing from friends and his wife’s stipend, but she will soon need work authorization herself. “The whole of my life is on hold,” he said. Many Iranian immigrants fear returning home amid the ongoing war with U.S. and Israeli forces and face difficulty contacting family due to internet blackouts.
The American Academy of Family Physicians reported that several doctors have sought help, though the exact number affected remains unclear. While the exemption offers some relief, applicants and attorneys remain cautious about its implementation and timeliness.
