TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PREPARES TO TIGHTEN H-1B VISA: WILL VIETNAMESE DOCTORS BE AFFECTED?
I just read a hot interview in The New York Times with Mr. Joseph Edlow, the new Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
According to the interview, he shared: “The Trump administration is planning big changes to the H-1B visa program for high-skilled workers.”
Specifically, the new policy will change the way the H-1B visa line is issued. Instead of random selection through a “lottery” as currently (limited to 85,000 slots per year), this visa line will be prioritized for those with higher salaries. The goal is for companies to pay foreign workers better, avoiding hiring foreigners at lower wages than Americans.
So will this affect Vietnamese doctors who want to settle in the US after completing their medical residency program?
The answer is: No, Vietnamese doctors are absolutely not affected by this policy!
The reason is because up to now, international doctors (IMGs – International Medical Graduates), including Vietnamese doctors, have been exempted from the lottery. H-1B.
The medical industry in the US has been facing a serious shortage of human resources crisis, so doctors after completing the residency program are often given priority to sponsor H-1B visas to stay and work. The “lottery” policy that the Trump administration wants to change mainly applies to other industries, such as technology or engineering, but does not affect the medical field at all.
More than anyone else, as someone who has walked the journey from an immigrant girl to becoming a citizen and a doctor in the US, I understand the worries and fears when hearing about changes in immigration policy.
When I first came to America, I wondered about many things: “Will I be able to stay for a long time, will I have the opportunity to change my fate, so that I no longer have to worry about immigration policy every day?”. But then, I realized that America always has open doors, especially in the medical field – where your dedication and skills are appreciated.
So, if you are a Vietnamese medical student or doctor who is working hard on the American medical residency path, rest assured! This new policy does not make it difficult for you at all. As long as you continue to try, complete the training program well, and prepare your documents carefully, the path to becoming a doctor in the US and settling permanently in the US is still waiting for you.
I know this journey is not easy. But I believe that, with perseverance and the opportunities that America offers, you can completely turn your dream into reality!
What do you think about these?
Please comment “yes” if this article is useful to you.
Dr. Christina Nguyen
Phoenix Medical Academy
