Immigration Article of the Day: State Power in Physician Immigration Law

Check out this new piece from Enoch Kun, Assistant Attorney in the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, and Gordon Wong, a public health scientist: State Power in Physician Immigration Law, 29 Quinnipiac Health L. J. [i] (2025-2026). Here is their abstract:

Physician immigration law is often perceived as exclusively under federal jurisdiction, given that immigration law is traditionally a federal matter. However, state governments play a critical role in physician immigration through their control over medical licensure, granting them the ability to influence federal immigration policy. By exercising its authority under the principles of federalism, a state can waive residency requirements for experienced international medical graduates, establishing new pathways for immigration and practice. This strategy reduces the opportunity cost for seasoned foreign doctors and bypasses the need for direct federal involvement, providing an immediate and scalable solution to the healthcare workforce crisis. Through an analysis of the intersection between immigration and health law, this article demonstrates how state-driven licensing reforms can shape federal immigration policy, accelerating the recruitment of foreign physicians and addressing the growing physician shortage.

I'm thrilled to see more work in the area of immigration and healthcare! As I noted on Monday, the immigration policies of the current administration are leading to a true health care crisis. New solutions are much needed!