USDA Terminates J-1 Waiver Sponsorship for Foreign Physicians

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced its decision to terminate its J-1 waiver sponsorship program effective February 27, 2002. Any waiver requests pending on the date of the termination will be returned to the sender. It is believed that approximately 80 cases were pending, some dating as far back as October.

According to the fact sheet distributed by the USDA on March 6, 2002, after an extensive review of the program last fall and in light of increased security, the agency determined that it had no special authority and no additional funding to sponsor visas for scientists or to serve as an Interested Government Agency (IGA) supporting waiver applications for foreign physicians to work in underserved areas. The USDA’s concerns include its lack of specific authority to conduct adequate background checks on applicants or to rely upon other federal agencies to do so. Due to these concerns, USDA has decided to discontinue its role as an IGA on behalf of J-1 foreign research scientists or physicians requesting a recommendation of a waiver of their 2 years home residency requirement.

Members of the House and the Senate with an interest in rural health and rural development have been informed, and congressional action is anticipated.

Courtesy of the American Immigration Lawyers Association