8legs: United states citizenship and immigration services

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Delays in visa program threaten placement of hundreds of doctors in underserved areas

Backlog in the HHS Exchange Visitor Program may force hundreds of doctors to leave the U.S. if visa waivers aren’t processed before July 30.
The J-1 waiver program lets foreign physicians work in underserved areas for three years in exchange for staying in the U.S. while transitioning to H-1B status.
Hospitals in rural and underserved areas say the extra $100,000 H-1B fee is a deal killer for hiring foreign physicians.
The Trump-era fee applies to workers outside the U.S. and does not apply to those already in the country, complicating recruitment for foreign clinicians.
Health policy groups urge emergency batch processing to speed approvals for physicians with contracts starting in summer.
KFF Health News notes the delay could affect patient access to care in vulnerable communities if doctors depart.
Immigration lawyers warn the backlog jeopardizes thousands of patients who rely on foreign-trained physicians.
Some hospitals may face higher costs or lose cases due to delays in recruiting foreign clinicians.
The program typically forwards recommendations to the State Department by mid-March, but delays have persisted.
Canadian hospitals are recruiting foreign physicians finishing training in the U.S., signaling cross-border competition for clinicians.
KFF Health News and CBS News frame the issue as a critical patient safety and workforce problem in underserved areas.

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