The AOA, with the Group of Six, submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opposing a proposed rule that would end the “duration of status” policy for nonimmigrant visa holders, including J-1 physicians in graduate medical education (GME) programs. The comments warned that replacing the current system with a fixed admission period would have immediate and destabilizing effects on hospitals, training programs and patient care.
Each year, more than 17,000 J-1 physicians train in hospitals nationwide, delivering critical care in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. The proposed rule would require these physicians to seek visa extensions mid-training, creating delays, uncertainty and potential disruptions in patient care, particularly in rural and underserved areas that rely on these physicians most.
The letter urges DHS to exclude J-1 physicians from the rule, emphasizing that they are already highly vetted, compliant and essential to addressing physician shortages. Be sure to read the full comments to learn how the AOA continues to advocate for policies that strengthen the physician workforce and ensure patients have access to consistent, high-quality care.