Anastasiia Tsyunchyk and Conrad Fischer are among many international medical residents working in US hospitals who face uncertain futures due to visa restrictions. Tsyunchyk, a Ukrainian-born physician at Brookdale Hospital, moved to the US in 2024 after completing her studies.
Tsyunchyk’s experience is not unique. Brookdale Hospital has a high rate of international residents, with almost all of its doctors on J-1 visas. The hospital relies heavily on these international graduates, who fill critical positions that American doctors are not interested in. However, the Trump administration’s immigration policies have put their futures at risk.
In May, the Trump administration paused interviews for J-1 and J-2 student visas, affecting many international medical residents. Since then, travel bans affecting 19 countries mean these residents are struggling to maintain their legal status. Tsyunchyk expressed her concerns, stating that she feels undervalued and partially fearful about her future.
The situation is not unique to Brookdale Hospital. Many US hospitals, particularly in New York City, have high rates of international residents. The hospital’s reliance on J-1 visas makes it vulnerable to changes in immigration policies. Without these international graduates, the hospital would struggle to operate.
Experts attribute the problem to the Trump administration’s lack of consideration for the ripple effects of their immigration policies. “It doesn’t just affect people who find work in Home Depot parking lots, it also affects patients going to the emergency room at their local hospital,” said Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center.
The situation is further complicated by patients’ choices to travel to better-regarded hospitals in Manhattan when they have the choice. Brookdale Hospital’s problems are partly due to its location in Brooklyn, which makes it difficult to attract and retain top medical talent.
As the US hospital landscape continues to face staffing shortages, international medical residents are at risk of being pushed out by restrictive immigration policies. It is essential that policymakers take a closer look at the impact of these policies on hospitals and patients alike.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/08/14/brookdale-doctors-international-visas-immigration-hospital