Chicago – May 09, 2026
U.S. immigration officials have lifted a hold on green card and visa applications for doctors from more than 30 countries, a policy shift that could ease pressure on hospitals and clinics facing persistent physician shortages. The exemption was quietly introduced after months of appeals from physician groups and immigration lawyers who warned that foreign-trained doctors are essential in rural and underserved areas.
The move comes after the Trump administration paused reviews for applicants from several countries it deemed high-risk, part of a broader immigration crackdown. For doctors like Libyan pulmonologist Faysal Alghoula, whose visa renewal is tied to his ability to keep treating patients in Indiana, the change offers hope that long-delayed cases will finally be reviewed.
Still, the policy offers no guarantee of approval, and some applicants say they have not received direct notice from immigration authorities. Meanwhile, the pause remains in place for researchers, entrepreneurs and other professionals from countries including Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela, leaving many unable to work, travel freely or secure basic documents.
The exemption highlights a selective easing of one part of the immigration freeze, while broader restrictions continue to affect thousands of other applicants.
