The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently revised its March 30 “Update on USCIS’ Strengthened Screening and Vetting” release to indicate that physicians are no longer subject to the adjudicative processing holds. These memoranda — including PM-602-0192 (PDF), PM-602-0193 (PDF), and PM-602-0194 (PDF) — placed on hold asylum applications, benefit requests from high-risk countries, and diversity visa adjustment of status applications, among other provisions, associated with the 39 travel bans countries put in place in January 2025.
The AAMC has strongly advocated for a National Interest Exception and expedited processing for physicians, researchers, and medical trainees experiencing barriers to entering or remaining lawfully in the United States to continue their training and practice. This includes an April 8 letter signed by the AAMC (PDF) and 23 organizations to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio urging action to address these barriers [refer to Washington Highlights, April 10].