AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued the following statement on executive actions and forthcoming immigration legislation from the Biden administration that address several immigration policies, including travel restrictions on individuals from predominantly Muslim countries and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:
“The AAMC is pleased to see the new administration prioritize a balanced approach to immigration and citizenship policy by taking action to roll back nationality-based travel restrictions, preserve DACA, and propose legislation that would among other things provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers.
The executive actions and legislation help to recognize the role that health professionals from other countries play in safeguarding our nation’s health and well-being and increasing the diversity of the nation’s health care and scientific workforce. Additionally, the legislation he plans to send to Congress would provide a path to citizenship for the approximately 30,000 health care workers and support staff who depend on DACA for their authorization to work in the United States to continue to provide care to millions of patients across the country as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
The AAMC looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration and Congress on a balanced approach to immigration and citizenship policy that attracts and retains individuals who want to contribute to improving the health of our nation and people everywhere."