politics
Trump Administration Exempts Doctors From Visa Screening Pause for High-Risk Countries
The Trump administration last week exempted medical doctors from a broader pause on visa and green card reviews for applicants from dozens of high-risk countries. Libyan pulmonologist Dr. Faysal Alghoula, who cares for 1,000 patients in rural southwestern Indiana, saw his early June interview canceled without explanation even after the exemption.
May 9, 7:00 AM·3m read1 source
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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.
