Immigration Challenges Facing The U.S. Healthcare Workforce

The U.S. healthcare system continues to experience severe workforce shortages, particularly in underserved areas and rural communities.

A significant portion of the healthcare workforce has historically relied on foreign-born professionals, including physicians, nurses, and other vital positions. However, recent immigration policy developments and proposals may limit access to these essential workers and further complicate long-term workforce planning.

According to the American Medical Association, almost 25 percent of practicing physicians in the United States are international medical graduates (IMGs). These professionals, many of whom arrive on J-1 exchange visas, have historically filled critical shortages in primary care and specialty medicine. Further, approximately 1 million noncitizens provide essential care in hospitals and long-term care facilities, as well as in home health settings, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)