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Modifies the presumption-of-immigrant-intent provision to add an exception for aliens coming to the United States to receive graduate medical education or training described in section 212(j) or to take examinations required to receive such training.
Strikes items (aa) and (bb) in the identified subparagraph and inserts replacement text related to practice and geographic area for the physician national interest waiver (replacement text not shown in section).
Exempts spouses and children of certain J‑1 exchange visitors from the requirements of section 212(e) (the referenced requirements in 1182(e)).
Adds a new subparagraph (F) to 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1) to treat certain alien physicians who have completed waiver service (and their spouses/children) as aliens not subject to the numerical limitations, and to set rules allowing early filing but delaying grant until waiver requirements under section 214(l) are satisfied.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced February 25, 2025 by Amy Klobuchar · Last progress February 25, 2025
Makes targeted changes to the J-1 Conrad State 30 physician waiver program and related immigration rules to ease paths to permanent residence for foreign physicians who serve in underserved U.S. areas, clarify employer and contract rules, adjust how states receive waiver allotments, and require annual reporting on admissions by state. It also protects physicians’ ability to seek adjustment before finishing service (while preventing approval until obligations are met), recognizes dual intent for physicians doing U.S. graduate medical training or exams, and provides limited automatic extensions and work authorization for physicians completing residency.
Amends Section 220(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 by striking the phrase "September 30, 2015" and inserting the phrase "Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act." This is a change to the statutory text of that provision.
Specifies the effective date for the amendment in subsection (a): the amendment "shall take effect as if enacted on September 30, 2018."
Amends Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)) by adding a new subparagraph (F).
Defines eligible persons under the new subparagraph (F) as alien physicians who have completed the service requirements of a waiver requested under section 203(b)(2)(B)(ii).
Specifically includes alien physicians who completed the required service before the date of the enactment of this provision.
Primary effects: foreign physicians who participate in J-1 Conrad waiver placements, their spouses and children, State health agencies that manage waiver allotments, academic medical centers, underserved communities that rely on Conrad physicians, and Federal agencies (DHS/USCIS and HHS) that administer and oversee the program. For physicians: the bill makes it easier to file immigrant petitions earlier, protects employment terms (no non-compete), and smooths transitions after residency through limited automatic extensions and work authorization. For States and academic medical centers: allotment changes create incentives to use allocated waiver slots and new rules for requesting slots at academic centers; States that underuse slots can see reductions. For underserved communities: improved retention and clearer paths to permanence may increase physician availability. For agencies: the law creates new reporting duties and changes administrative decision rules, which will require updated procedures. Potential tradeoffs: employers must accept tighter contract rules (which may affect recruitment and retention strategies), and States must track and use slots to avoid reductions. Overall, the legislation is regulatory and administrative rather than fiscal; impacts are concentrated on immigrant physicians, their families, State program managers, and institutions that host or employ the physicians.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate