The Trump administration’s push to tighten oversight of international student visas has created uncertainty for many international medical graduates seeking training in the U.S. and raised concerns about potential disruptions to the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
Five things to know:
“President Trump will always put the safety of Americans first, and it is a privilege, not a right, to study in the United States,” a White House spokesperson told CBS News. “Enhanced social media vetting is a commonsense measure that will help ensure that guests in our country are not planning to harm Americans, which is a national security priority.”
1. In late May, the White House stopped scheduling visa interviews for students aiming to study in the U.S., according to a cable obtained by Politico. At the time, the State Department said it was considering implementing social media screenings for all applicants.
2. Healthcare industry members said these actions could significantly slow down visa processing and create new hurdles for international medical students and trainees seeking educational opportunities in the U.S. Most U.S. residency programs begin July 1, meaning international medical graduates affected by visa delays have only a short window to secure appointments and enter the country.
3. During an American Medical Association House of Delegates meeting on June 11, one delegate called the delayed appointment of J-1 visas a “healthcare delivery emergency,” warning it would leave residency spots unfilled and strain hospital capacity, particularly in underserved areas, according to MedPage Today.
4. Another delegate, Douglas DeLong, MD, noted that his rural New York health system relies entirely on international graduates for its residency programs. Without them, he warned, “our entire healthcare system in upstate New York would collapse,” according to the publication.
5. After some internal debate over advocacy measures, the AMA voted to adopt a stronger stance in support of international medical graduates affected by visa delays, including backing the restoration of J-1 visa processing and expediting H-1B pathways. J-1 visas are commonly used by international medical graduates to enter the U.S. for residency or fellowship training, while H-1B visas are often used by state-licensed physicians for employment in clinical practice.
