Foreign Physicians Face Immigration Nightmare as U.S. Policy Shifts

A Libyan doctor, pivotal to the health of nearly 1,000 patients in southwestern Indiana, is staring down an uncertain future as his green card renewal hangs in the balance, a casualty of the Trump administration's restrictive policies.

Dr. Faysal Alghoula, a pulmonologist and ICU specialist, caters to a largely rural demographic across Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. His visa is set to expire in September if his application is denied, leaving him in a precarious position.

But wait—there’s a flicker of hope! A newly introduced exemption for medical professionals with pending visa or green card applications could change the game for Alghoula and others trapped in similar bureaucratic hells.

This policy shift, born from relentless advocacy by physician organizations and immigration lawyers, comes amid alarming doctor shortages that have left underserved areas gasping for help, as noted by the National Library of Medicine.

Dr. Alghoula feels the pressure daily. "It’s about a four to five-month wait to get a pulmonologist here," he lamented, highlighting the dire consequences for patients needing specialized care.

Yet, even with this new exemption, uncertainty looms large. Immigration attorneys and applicants alike are left questioning how effective this change will be in practice.

Sure, doctors' cases can now be reviewed, but that doesn’t guarantee green card or visa renewals. And let’s not forget the looming specter of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services potentially dragging its feet on processing these applications before critical deadlines hit—like Dr. Alghoula’s.

“I don’t trust them to approve me,” Alghoula admitted, recalling countless stories of immigrants detained during routine paperwork renewals. “I’m still scared to go to my interview,” he confessed, having called the U.S. home since 2016.

Meanwhile, thousands of others—including researchers and entrepreneurs from 39 countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Venezuela—remain in limbo. Many can’t legally work, obtain health insurance, or even get a driver’s license. Leaving the U.S.? Forget it; they won’t be allowed back in.

The previous administration's decision to halt reviews of green card and visa applications for individuals from high-risk countries has left many stranded. This year alone, applications from over 75 countries were put on ice due to fears they might seek public assistance.

This crackdown followed a tragic incident involving two National Guard troops shot by an Afghan citizen, which the administration used to justify its stringent measures on immigration.

The Department of Homeland Security has remained tight-lipped about the pause or the recent exemption for physicians but insists on thorough screening after deeming the previous administration's efforts inadequate.

“There are lots of bans and lots of pauses happening right now,” said Greg Siskind, an immigration attorney from Memphis. “It’s all about making life miserable for people who are here legally so they will choose other countries.”

How many doctors are caught in this immigration web? It’s unclear. The American Academy of Family Physicians has received inquiries from several desperate doctors seeking assistance.

Before this exemption came into play, many immigrants resorted to filing federal lawsuits demanding action on their stalled cases.

Take Iranian Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab, for instance. She arrived in the U.S. three years ago for radiology research but found her green card application stuck in limbo. After filing a lawsuit demanding a decision, a federal judge ordered her case reviewed—only for it to be denied. She suspects retaliation for her legal action.

“I feel completely confused,” Shokri Varniab expressed.

In court documents, U.S. government lawyers claimed inconsistencies in her application regarding her intentions as a practicing doctor or researcher—she insists she plans to do both.

Now, she fears the exemption won’t apply to her since her case has already been decided but is still seeking relief through the courts.

Meanwhile, immigrants with prestigious roles in science and technology are also feeling the pinch; they can’t work while waiting for employment authorization documents. Many are running out of funds for rent and groceries and fear their careers will be derailed if forced to leave the country.

Those hailing from Iran are particularly anxious about returning home amid ongoing conflicts with U.S. and Israeli forces. Communication with family is hampered by government-imposed internet blackouts, leaving them without financial support.

Kaveh Javanshirjavid moved to the U.S. from Iran seven years ago to pursue a doctorate in agriculture. He was set to start a lab job in January but is stuck waiting for employment authorization—his application is on hold.

The 41-year-old is borrowing money from friends to cover rent and relying on his wife’s doctoral stipend for essentials. But how long can that last? She’s also Iranian and will need work authorization after graduating this summer.

“The whole of my life is on hold,” he lamented.