The AAMC joined a Sept. 24 letter of support (PDF), signed by 54 national medical groups and organizations, requesting the Department of Homeland Security issue clarifying guidance to exempt physicians from the Sept. 19 presidential proclamation that imposes a $100,000 H-1B visa filing fee and new restrictions on the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers. Specifically, the letter argues that it is in the national interest to clarify that all physicians — including medical residents, fellows, researchers, and those working in nonclinical settings — be exempt from the proclamation considering the critical role they play in addressing health workforce shortages and providing high-quality and accessible patient care.
President Donald Trump issued a presidential proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” which, among other provisions, restricts H1-B visa holders from entering or reentering the United States to work on an H-1B visa starting on Sept. 21, unless accompanied by a payment of $100,000 [refer to related story]. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services later clarified in a Sept. 20 memorandum (PDF) that there would not be a restriction on entry for any current H-1B visa holder or for those already approved or with pending petitions.
The AAMC is speaking with other national health organizations and working to coordinate a strategy as the association prepares to directly engage in discussions with the administration on this issue on behalf of its member institutions.