Trump Administration Exempts Doctors From Visa Screening Pause for High-Risk Countries

The Trump administration last week made an exemption for medical doctors with pending visa or green card applications after months of pressure from physicians organizations and immigration attorneys. Libyan pulmonologist Dr.

U.S. Since 2016, cares for roughly 1,000 patients as a pulmonologist and ICU doctor in southwestern Indiana. His current visa will expire in September if his application is denied. Alghoula serves a mostly rural population spanning parts of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky where it takes four to five months to get a pulmonologist appointment.

Foreign-trained doctors disproportionately work in underserved areas, according to the National Library of Medicine. The exemption was a move sought for months by physicians organizations and immigration attorneys citing widespread shortages. The exemption means doctors can have their cases reviewed but does not guarantee their green cards or visas will be renewed.

It is unclear whether USCIS will be able to process applications in time to meet immigration deadlines. Many doctors with pending applications still haven’t heard any updates from the federal government since the exemption announcement. Applicants and immigration attorneys say it is unclear how big a difference the exemption will make.

Alghoula had an interview scheduled for early June that was canceled without explanation. On Friday he learned of the cancellation and said he doesn’t know what it means for his application. “I’m still scared to go to my interview,” Alghoula said.

He doesn’t trust the administration will approve him due to stories about immigrants being detained at appointments. Alghoula added that the uncertainty has left him anxious despite the new policy. The Trump administration decided last year to stop reviewing green card and visa applications for people from a list of countries deemed high-risk.

This year the Trump administration stopped reviewing visa applications for citizens of more than 75 countries over concerns they would seek public assistance. The pause followed the shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan citizen. The Department of Homeland Security said it wants to ensure applicants are properly screened after determining the prior administration failed to do so.

The pause remains in effect for thousands of others including researchers and entrepreneurs from 39 countries including Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela. While on hold, many applicants can’t legally work, get health insurance or a driver’s license. , they won’t be let back in.

“It isn’t clear how many doctors have been affected by the pause,” according to a spokesperson for the American Academy of Family Physicians. Several doctors have reached out to the American Academy of Family Physicians asking for help. CNN reported that the broader crackdown has compounded difficulties for immigrants in science and technology roles.

Before the exemption, Iranian Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab came to the United States three years ago to conduct radiology research. A federal judge ordered immigration officials to review Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab’s case; they reviewed it and denied her application.

The 33-year-old doctor said she believes the denial was in retaliation for her lawsuit. U.S. government lawyers wrote that Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab’s application contained inconsistencies about whether she plans to become a practicing doctor or researcher.

She said she plans to do both. The exemption doesn’t appear to apply to her since her case was decided but she is seeking relief in court. Kaveh Javanshirjavid came to the United States from Iran seven years ago to study for his doctorate in agriculture.

The 41-year-old was supposed to start a lab job in January but needs employment authorization that is on hold. “The whole of my life is on hold,” Kaveh Javanshirjavid said. ” CNN reported that immigrants unable to work face immediate barriers to rent, groceries and family contact, especially those from Iran amid ongoing conflict and internet blackouts.