Clinical Report: How Many US Clinicians Come From Banned Countries?
Overview
A study found that 23,745 physicians and 56,332 nurses in the US workforce in 2023 originated from 19 countries affected by a December 2025 immigration ban.
Background
The immigration ban on 19 countries raises concerns about the availability of healthcare professionals in the United States. Physicians and nurses from these nations contribute significantly to the US healthcare workforce.
Data Highlights
Year
Physician Inflow
Nurse Inflow
2010
350
189
2022
-
368
2023
459
-
Key Findings
In 2023, physicians from banned countries accounted for 23,745 of approximately 1.1 million US physicians.
Nurses from banned countries made up 56,332 of nearly 4 million US nurses in 2023.
Counties with at least one physician from a banned country had 2.4 times the odds of being designated a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area.
Counties with at least one nurse from a banned country had 1.7 times the odds of being designated a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area.
Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba were the top contributors of emigrating physicians, while Cuba, Haiti, and Iran contributed the most nurses.
The study could not determine immigration status or whether all clinicians practiced clinically in the US.
Clinical Implications
The findings indicate that the immigration ban could exacerbate existing healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in underserved areas. Understanding the demographics of clinicians from banned countries may help inform policy discussions regarding healthcare access.
Conclusion
The study underscores the potential negative impact of the immigration ban on the US healthcare workforce and access to care in underserved communities.
