An Iranian doctor has alleged that her green card application was rejected by the U.S. government in retaliation for her insistence on receiving answers about her case. Dr. Zahra Shokri Varniab is among several applicants affected by a Trump administration policy that halted application reviews for individuals from certain nations deemed high-risk.
In January, the State Department declared a halt in processing immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. This list includes nations like Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. The administration had identified nationals from these countries as potentially requiring public assistance upon settling in the U.S.
However, a quiet shift occurred last week as the Trump administration decided to exempt physicians with pending visa or green card applications from this suspension. This move followed numerous federal lawsuits filed by immigrants demanding resolution of their cases.
Among those taking legal action was Dr. Shokri Varniab, who arrived in the United States three years ago for radiology research purposes. Her case underscores the complexities and frustrations experienced by many immigrants navigating the shifting landscape of U.S. immigration policy.
Before the exemption, many immigrants filed federal lawsuits demanding that the government issue decisions on their cases.
One of them was Shokri Varniab, who came to the United States three years ago to conduct radiology research.
She was waiting for a green card to attend a residency program but her application got stuck in the pause.
Varniab filed a lawsuit demanding an answer to her application and a federal judge ordered immigration officials to review her case.
She was granted that answer on February 20 by a judge, but it ended in a prompt denial of her green card application. The 33-year-old doctor said she believes it was in retaliation for her lawsuit.
Zahra Shokri Varniab, an Iranian doctor, is accusing the government of ‘retaliation’ by refusing her green card application because of her protests against a pause in the process
Hers is one of many cases in limbo after the Trump administration stopped reviewing applications for people from several dozen countries it deemed high-risk
‘I feel completely confused,’ Shokri Varniab said.
In court filings, US government lawyers wrote that Shokri Varniab’s application contained inconsistencies about whether she plans to become a practicing doctor or researcher. She said she plans to do both.
She said the exemption doesn’t appear to apply to her since her case was decided but is seeking relief in court.
Immigrants who hold prestigious jobs in science and technology said they currently can’t work due to the pause because they’re waiting on employment authorization documents.
Some said they are running out of money for rent and groceries and worry their careers could be thwarted if they’re forced to leave the country.
Those from Iran are especially worried about returning home during the ongoing war with US and Israeli forces.
They said they can’t regularly reach family due to the Iranian government’s internet blackout or count on them for financial support.
Meanwhile, the pause remains in effect for thousands of others, including researchers and entrepreneurs from 39 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela.
Varniab (pictured left with husband Ashkan Pourabhari) came to the United States three years ago to conduct radiology research. She was waiting for a green card to attend a residency program but her application got stuck in the pause
The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become ‘public charges’ in the US
While they´re on hold, many can´t legally work, get health insurance or a driver´s license. If they leave the US, they won’t be let back in.
Last week, many doctors got a potential lifeline when the administration made the exemption for physicians.
It’s a move physicians, organizations and immigration attorneys had sought for months, citing widespread shortages and a high proportion of foreign-trained doctors, who disproportionately work in underserved areas, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Still, applicants and immigration attorneys say it’s unclear how big a difference the exemption will make.
The change means doctors can have their cases reviewed, but it doesn’t guarantee their green cards or visas will be renewed.
It is also unclear whether US Citizenship and Immigration Services will be able to process those applications in time to meet immigration deadlines – especially as many doctors with pending applications still haven’t heard any updates from the federal government directly since the announcement was first made.
The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become ‘public charges’ in the US.
The step builds on earlier immigration and travel bans by the administration on nearly 40 countries and is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to tighten US entry standards for foreigners.
Last week, many doctors got a potential lifeline when the administration quietly made an exemption for physicians with pending visa or green card applications
Varniab filed a lawsuit demanding an answer to her application and a federal judge ordered immigration officials to review her case. She was granted that answer on February 20 by a judge, but it ended in a prompt denial of her green card application
‘The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,’ the department said in a statement.
‘Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.’
The suspension, which began January 21, does not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas, who make up the vast majority of visa seekers.
Demand for non-immigrant visas is expected to rise dramatically in the coming months and years due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics both of which the US will host or co-host.
A separate notice sent to all US embassies and consulates said that non-immigrant visa applicants should be screened for the possibility that they might seek public benefits in the United States.
‘With the uncovering of massive public benefits fraud across the United States, the Trump administration is laser-focused on eliminating and preventing fraud in public benefits programs,’ said the cable that referred specifically to most non-immigrant visa applications.
President Donald Trump’s administration has already severely restricted immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of dozens of countries, many of them in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
