A Trump administration policy pausing work authorization renewals for certain immigrants is forcing thousands of foreign-born doctors out of active service, according to reporting by Axios. The freeze, affecting applicants from 39 countries, has disrupted renewals, green cards, and naturalization processes.
Immigrant physicians make up roughly a quarter of the U.S. healthcare workforce, with rural areas especially reliant on them. The report said many doctors, despite applying for renewals within the legal grace period, are now unable to work, leading to unpaid leave or abrupt service gaps.
Trump's visa freeze sidelines immigrant doctors. Here's how https://t.co/TBCKdPDT6f
— Axios (@axios) March 24, 2026
Doctors told Axios that patient care is already being hit. One physician in Ohio said appointments were delayed by months after his authorization expired. The American Medical Association warned that hundreds of patients have lost access to care.
According to Homeland Security, the move is aimed at correcting past vetting failures under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, lawsuits are mounting, and countries like Canada are actively recruiting affected doctors.
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TIPP Staff
