How Many US Clinicians Come From Banned Countries? - Summary - MDSpire

How Many US Clinicians Come From Banned Countries?

Counties with at least one clinician from a banned country were more likely to be designated primary care shortage areas.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • June 3, 2026

  • 4 min

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Objective:

To analyze the number of physicians and nurses from 19 countries affected by a December 2025 US immigration ban and their impact on the US healthcare workforce.

Key Findings:
  • In 2023, there were 23,745 physicians and 56,332 nurses from banned countries in the US workforce.
  • Physician inflow from banned countries increased from 350 in 2010 to 459 in 2023, making up about 2.5% of total physician inflow.
  • Nurse inflow rose from 189 in 2010 to 368 in 2022, accounting for approximately 1% of total nurse inflow.
  • 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.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • The study could not determine immigration status, physician specialty, or whether all clinicians who immigrated ultimately practiced clinically in the US.
  • It could not evaluate potential causal effects of the immigration ban.
Conclusion:

Original Source(s)

How Many US Clinicians Come From Banned Countries?

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • June 3, 2026

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