U.S. Lifts Immigration Pause for Foreign Doctors, But Thousands of Other Skilled Workers Remain in Limbo

A recent change in U.S. immigration policy quietly exempts medical doctors from a broad pause on visa and green card applications, offering a lifeline to physicians like Dr. Faysal Al Ghoula, who cares for nearly 1,000 patients in rural Indiana. However, the decision leaves thousands of other professionals—including researchers, entrepreneurs, and scientists from dozens of countries—still unable to work, drive, or obtain health insurance. While the exemption may help ease doctor shortages in underserved areas, immigration attorneys and applicants warn that the move does not guarantee approval and may not come fast enough for those facing looming deadlines.

What the Policy Change Means for Doctors

The Trump administration had stopped reviewing visa and green card applications for people from several dozen countries it considered high-risk. This pause left many foreign-trained physicians in legal limbo, unable to renew their immigration status and continue practicing medicine in the United States. In late February, the administration quietly carved out an exemption specifically for medical doctors with pending applications. This means that physicians like Dr. Al Ghoula can now have their cases reviewed, though approval is not assured.

Dr. Al Ghoula, a pulmonologist and ICU doctor, serves a largely rural population across parts of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. His current visa expires in September if his renewal is denied. He describes the situation as deeply stressful, noting that patients in his region already face a four- to five-month wait to see a pulmonologist. “I’m still scared to go to my interview,” he said, citing stories he has heard about other immigrants being detained at routine appointments.

Physician organizations and immigration attorneys had pushed for this exemption for months. The National Library of Medicine reports that foreign-trained doctors make up a significant portion of the U.S. medical workforce, and they disproportionately work in rural and underserved communities where doctor shortages are most severe. Without these physicians, many patients would have even less access to care.

How This Affects Patients and Communities

For readers, this policy change matters because it directly impacts access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. If doctors like Dr. Al Ghoula are forced to leave, patients may face longer wait times, fewer specialists, and reduced quality of care. Rural hospitals already struggle to recruit and retain physicians, and foreign-trained doctors often fill critical gaps. The American Academy of Family Physicians has noted that several doctors have reached out for help, though it is unclear exactly how many have been affected by the pause.

Experts in healthcare workforce policy generally agree that the U.S. relies heavily on international medical graduates. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country could face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. Foreign-trained doctors help fill this gap, particularly in primary care and specialties like pulmonology. Any disruption to their ability to work can have ripple effects on patient care.

What the Exemption Does and Does Not Do

While the exemption allows doctors to have their cases reviewed, it does not guarantee that their green cards or visas will be renewed. It also remains unclear whether U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can process these applications quickly enough to meet individual deadlines. Dr. Al Ghoula’s case is a prime example: his visa expires in September, and he has an upcoming interview that he fears could lead to detention.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration officials, did not answer questions about the pause or the recent changes. In an email, the agency said it wants to ensure applicants are properly screened, citing failures in the prior administration’s vetting process. The pause was originally implemented after a shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan citizen, which the administration said highlighted risks of inadequate screening.

Thousands of Other Skilled Workers Still Stuck

For professionals outside of medicine, the pause remains fully in effect. This includes researchers, entrepreneurs, and scientists from 39 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. While their applications are on hold, many cannot legally work, obtain health insurance, or get a driver’s license. If they leave the United States, they are not allowed to re-enter.

Immigration attorney Greg Siskind, based in Memphis, Tennessee, described the situation as deliberate. “There are lots of bans and lots of pauses that are happening right now,” he said. “It is all about making life miserable for people who are here legally so they will choose other countries.”

One affected individual is Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab, an Iranian physician who came to the United States three years ago to conduct radiology research. She was waiting for a green card to begin a residency program, but her application got stuck in the pause. She filed a federal lawsuit demanding a decision, and a judge ordered immigration officials to review her case. They did—and denied it. Dr. Shokri Varniab, 33, believes the denial was retaliation for her lawsuit. U.S. government lawyers argued that her application contained inconsistencies about whether she plans to practice medicine or focus on research. She says she intends to do both. The new exemption does not appear to apply to her because her case has already been decided, but she is continuing to seek relief in court.

Another affected individual is Kaveh Javanshirjavid, who came from Iran seven years ago to study for a doctorate in agriculture. He was supposed to start a lab job in January but cannot work because his employment authorization application is on hold. The 41-year-old is borrowing money from friends to pay rent and relying on his wife’s graduate student stipend for basic expenses. He worries that after his wife graduates this summer, she will also need work authorization—and her application will likely face the same delays.

Special Concerns for Iranian Immigrants

Immigrants from Iran face additional challenges. Many are unable to return home due to the ongoing conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces. They also struggle to maintain contact with family members because of internet blackouts imposed by the Iranian government. Some have run out of money for rent and groceries, and they fear that being forced to leave the country could derail their careers permanently.

Practical Takeaways for Readers

If you or someone you know is a foreign-trained doctor affected by the pause, here are some steps to consider:

– Work with an experienced immigration attorney who specializes in medical visas and green cards.

– Keep all documentation organized, including proof of employment, patient census data, and letters from hospital administrators.

– Contact professional organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians or the American Medical Association, which may offer guidance or legal resources.

– If your case is time-sensitive, consider filing a federal lawsuit to compel USCIS to act, as some applicants have done successfully.

– Stay informed about policy changes, but be aware that exemptions may not apply to all situations.

For patients who rely on foreign-trained doctors, this issue is a reminder of how immigration policy can directly affect healthcare access. If you live in a rural or underserved area, consider reaching out to your local hospital or clinic to express support for policies that retain international medical graduates.

The Bigger Picture

The pause on visa and green card applications is part of a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration. In addition to the high-risk country list, the administration also stopped reviewing visa applications for citizens of more than 75 countries over concerns they might seek public assistance. Critics argue that these policies harm the U.S. economy and healthcare system by driving away skilled workers who contribute to their communities.

As Dr. Al Ghoula prepares for his interview, he remains hopeful but cautious. “It is about a 4 to 5 month wait to get a pulmonologist here,” he said, emphasizing the stakes for his patients. For now, the exemption offers a glimmer of possibility—but for thousands of other skilled immigrants, the wait continues.

Source: MedPage Today