A Libyan doctor who provides essential care to around 1,000 patients in the rural areas of southwestern Indiana is facing an uncertain future due to a stalled green card renewal. Dr. Faysal Alghoula, a pulmonologist and intensive care specialist, serves a predominantly rural population across parts of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. His current visa is set to expire in September if his application is denied.
However, a recent policy change offers a glimmer of hope for Alghoula and others in similar situations. A new exemption has been introduced for medical doctors with pending visa or green card applications. This shift comes after months of advocacy from physicians’ organizations and immigration attorneys, who have emphasized the critical role of foreign-trained medical professionals, especially in underserved areas.
The shortage of medical personnel is a daily challenge for Dr. Alghoula. “It is about four to five months wait to get the pulmonologist here,” he explained, highlighting the severe impact on patient access to specialist care. Despite this new exemption, both applicants and immigration attorneys remain uncertain about its practical effect.
While the change allows doctors’ cases to be reviewed, it does not guarantee the renewal of their green cards or visas. There are also concerns about whether US Citizenship and Immigration Services can process these applications quickly enough to meet crucial deadlines, such as Dr. Alghoula’s.
Alghoula expressed his fear about attending his upcoming interview, citing stories of immigrants being detained during similar appointments. “I’m still scared to go to my interview,” he said, having lived in the U.S. since 2016.
The pause in processing applications remains in effect for thousands of others, including researchers and entrepreneurs from 39 countries, such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. These individuals are unable to legally work, obtain health insurance, or get a driver’s license while their applications are on hold. If they leave the U.S., they may not be allowed back in.
Immigrants unable to work or see family
The Trump administration paused the review of green card and visa applications for people from high-risk countries last year. This year, the pause was expanded to include more than 75 countries over concerns that applicants might seek public assistance. These measures were part of a broader crackdown on immigration.
The pause followed the shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan citizen, which the administration claimed highlighted the risks of inadequate screening and vetting.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration officials, did not respond to questions about the pause or recent changes to exempt physicians. However, they stated in an email that they want to ensure applicants are properly screened, following criticism that the prior administration failed to do so.
“There are lots of bans and lots of pauses that are happening right now,” said Greg Siskind, an immigration attorney based in Memphis, Tennessee. “It is all about making life miserable for people who are here legally so they will choose other countries.”
It is unclear how many doctors have been affected by the pause, according to a spokesperson for the American Academy of Family Physicians. Several doctors have reached out to the organization asking for help.
Some doctors have already been denied
Before the exemption, many immigrants filed federal lawsuits demanding the government issue decisions on their cases. One such case involved Iranian Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab, who came to the U.S. three years ago to conduct radiology research. She was waiting for a green card to attend a residency program, but her application got stuck in the pause.
She filed a lawsuit demanding an answer to her application, and a federal judge ordered immigration officials to review her case. They did — and denied her. The 33-year-old doctor believes it was in retaliation for her lawsuit. “I feel completely confused,” she said.
In court filings, U.S. government lawyers wrote that Shokri Varniab’s application contained inconsistencies about whether she plans to become a practicing doctor or researcher. She said she plans to do both. She added that the exemption doesn’t appear to apply to her since her case was decided but is seeking relief in court.
Immigration policy compounding war abroad
Immigrants who hold prestigious jobs in science and technology said they currently can’t work due to the pause because they’re waiting on employment authorization documents. Some said they are running out of money for rent and groceries and worry their careers could be thwarted if they’re forced to leave the country.
Those from Iran are especially worried about returning home during the ongoing war with U.S. and Israeli forces. They said they can’t regularly reach family due to the Iranian government’s Internet blackout or count on them for financial support.
Kaveh Javanshirjavid came to the United States from Iran seven years ago to study for his doctorate in agriculture. He was supposed to start a lab job in January but needs employment authorization, and his application is on hold. The 41-year-old said he’s borrowing from friends to pay rent and relying on his wife’s doctorate stipend for basic necessities. But he doesn’t know how long that will last because she’s also Iranian and will need work authorization to get a job after graduating this summer.
“The whole of my life is on hold,” he said.
