Last week ASGE joined the American Academy of Family Physicians and 22 other national organizations on a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin urging prioritization and expedited immigration adjudications for medical students, resident physicians, and practicing physicians.
The request comes as Trump Administration immigration policies are creating uncertainty for physicians, medical trainees and researchers who came to the United States legally and who are now facing delays in decisions on their applications for visas, work permits, green cards and citizenship.
The letter describes how these delays are leading to the removal of qualified and vetted physicians from the U.S. health care system, including in underserved communities. The letter also emphasizes the impact of delays on medical trainees whose positions are tied to academic calendars and ACGME requirements.
In related news, the ASGE Diversity and Inclusion Committee held a webinar this week that provided information to international medical graduates pursuing gastroenterology training. The webinar focused on practical guidance for navigating the visa and immigration landscape, including visa pathways, eligibility requirements, and critical considerations during major career transitions, from residency to fellowship and from fellowship to attending practice.
A recording of the webinar is available here.