News & Events

A central goal of the IMG taskforce is to educate national and state policy makers, administrative officials, and the American public on the need for fair and reasonable laws that allow international medical graduates to become licensed physicians and to begin or continue their medical careers in the United States. To this end, we develop key relationships with legislators and policy makers in both federal and state government agencies in order to ensure that the needs of international medical graduates are considered in the development of policy and law. Members of the IMG Taskforce lend their unique expertise in physician immigration matters to promote the best interests of international medical graduates in these areas.
The IMG Taskforce has been a major force in the passage of several physician immigration bills over the last few years. Current advocacy efforts seek to address the need for Conrad 30 reauthorization, visa retrogression, the nonimmigrant and immigrant visa caps, and other issues of concern to international medical graduates in the United States.


 

Registration Now Open for 5th Biennial Physician Immigration Law Institute

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 5th Biennial Physician Immigration Law Institute.  The conference will take place at the Eaton Hotel  in Washington DC on Sunday, December 3 and Monday, December 4, 2023. A block of rooms was reserved at a discounted rate, so please make your reservation at The Eaton Hotel by November 10th. 
Monday, December 4 will feature our Keynote Speakers from USCIS.  Also, please stay for Lobby Day on Tuesday December 5.
 
Please find the program and registration information is available here: https://PILI2023.eventbrite.com
 
 

 

Announcing the 5th Biennial Physician Immigration Law Institute
December 3-4, 2023  Washington, D.C.

Registration Details Coming Soon!  

 

 

 

IMGT Representative Sarah K. Peterson Testifies Before Congressional Subcommittee

September 14, 2022

 

Attorney Sarah K. Peterson of SPS Immigration PLLC testified in support of immigration reform for International Medical Graduates and international nurses in front of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety.

 

Watch the entire committee hearing here

Read Attorney Peterson's testimony here



Announcing the 4th Biennial Physician Immigration Law Institute

Thursday, 28 October 2021 19:30

 

  REGISTER HERE: 

https://physicianimmigrationlawinstitute2021.eventbrite.com

 

The IMG Taskforce invites you to save the date for the 4th Biennial Physician Immigration Law Institutute, to be held December 5 – 7, 2021 in Washington DC.  Join us Sunday for an evening of roundtables, followed by a day of panels discussing hot topics and current trends, what to do when the government is telling you no, options for J-1 waivers, physicians laboring under the DOL, Docs extraordinaire, and ethics!


Materials & Final Program for IMGT Physician Immigration Law Institute

Saturday, 03 December 2016 15:29

 

Please use the link below to access the Conference Program and download the Conference Materials. The Conference Materials are password protected. If you need the password, please e-mail shelby@chainofevents.com

 

Click Here for Conference Materials

Click Here for Conference Program


2018 PHYSICIAN IMMIGRATION LAW INSTITUTE AND LOBBY DAY

Thursday, 30 August 2018 15:13

 

2018 PHYSICIAN IMMIGRATION LAW INSTITUTE AND LOBBY DAY

Click HERE for more information and to REGISTER

December 9-10 2018

 

The IMG Taskforce biennual conference wil be held in Washington D.C. December 9-10 2018. This year the conference will focus on the impact of rapidly changing immigration policies and new legislation as it pertains to physician immigration, as well as networking opportunities and roundtable events. Employers and practitioners working with IMG Physicians will benefit from this exceptional meeting. Click on the link above for more information about the conference program and details.   

 

Please note, hotel blocks for this event traditionally sell out quickly. Information on the hotel rates can be found at the above link.   

 

December 11 2018 

After the conference, the IMG Taskforce will conduct its annual legislative advocacy day on Capitol Hill. Please join us in speaking with legislators about how current DHS immigration policies harm U.S. healthcare and how immigration legislation can improve healthcare access. Training on key points and Lobby Materials will be provided!  



Materials & Final Program for IMGT Physician Immigration Law Institute

Saturday, 03 December 2016 15:29

Please use the link below to access the Conference Program and download the Conference Materials. The Conference Materials are password protected. If you need the password, please e-mail shelby@chainofevents.com  

 

Click Here for Conference Materials

Click Here for Conference Program


REGISTER FOR THE PHYSICIAN IMMIGRATION LAW INSTITUTE
Tuesday, 26 July 2016 02:55

 

REGISTER HERE  FOR THE PHYSICIAN IMMIGRATION LAW INSTITUTE

DECEMBER 4-6 2016

 

The IMG Taskforce bi-annual conference will be held in Washington D.C. December 4-6 2016. This year the conference will feature two separate tracks for beginning and advanced practitioners, as well as extra networking opportunities and expanded roundtable events. Employers and Practitioners working with IMG Physicans will all benefit from this year's exceptional program.  Click Here for more information about the conference program and details. To register, please visit our registration page.

 

Please note:

The block at the Mandarin Oriental our headquarter hotel is currently sold out.  We have secured overflow rooms at the JW Marriott.  The link is:  https://aws.passkey.com/e/16384904  

 

JW Marriott Washington D.C. 1331

Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004-1796, US  

 

The negotiated rate is $249 a night.  Please act fast as these rooms are only available until November 15th.


SAVE THE DATE - 2016 PHYSICIAN IMMIGRATION LAW INSTITUTE

Wednesday, 04 May 2016 18:27

 

SAVE THE DATE - DECEMBER 4-6 2016

PHYSICIAN IMMIGRATION LAW INSTITUTE

 

The IMG Taskforce bi-annual conference will be held in Washington D.C. December 4-6 2016. This year the conference will feature two separate tracks for beginning and advanced practitioners, as well as extra networking opportunities and expanded roundtable events. Employers and Practitioners working with IMG Physicans will all benefit from this year's exceptional program.

 

Save the Date 2016  



IMGT Comments on Visa Modernization

Wednesday, 04 March 2015 20:06

 

The IMG Taskforce responds to the Chief of the Regulatory Coordination Division USCIS Office of Policy and Srategy with regard to Federal Register request for comments on the process of streamlining and reforming the U.S. legal immigration system. Click Here for the IMG Taskforce Comments


Physician Immigration Law Institute

Friday, 26 September 2014 16:00

 

Physician Immigration Law Institute - November 13 & 14, 2014 The International Medical Graduate Taskforce (IMGT) and the Immigration Section of the Federal Bar are pleased to invite you to attend the 1st Annual "Physician Immigration Law Institute: Advanced Issues for J-1 Physician Employers and Practitioners" in Washington D.C. this November 13 and 14th. Please join us at the Renaissance Hotel in D.C. for what promises to be an exciting and informative first day of CLE sessions and expert speakers on Thursday November 13. On Friday, November 14 we will be meeting with Congressional representatives and staff to address our most pressing concerns regarding immigration laws as they impact our foreign physician population as well as advocating for changes to these laws.  

Washington, D.C.

Program Outline

Registration  

 

Link to Materials (password protected) 


IMG Taskforce 2013 Legislative Advocacy Materials
Tuesday, 19 February 2013 19:20

 

IMGT Packet 1

IMGT Packet 2  

 

Please also refer to 2012 Legislative Materials for additional documents if needed.



IMG Taskforce Members visit Capitol Hill on bahalf of IMG's - May 30, 2012

Friday, 20 April 2012 16:47

 

The IMG Taskforce's annual lobby day was held on May 30, 2012 in Washington DC. IMG Taskforce members from across the United States convened on Capitol Hill and met with more than 35 Congressional offices to promote The Conrad State 30 Improvement Act (S. 1979). The Conrad State 30 Improvement Act was introduced on December 12, 2011 by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) with co-sponsorship by Senator Moran (R-KS). If passed, the Act would expand and permanently reauthorize the existing Conrad State 30 Program.


Association of American Medical Colleges Report on U.S. Physician Shortages
Thursday, 09 June 2011 15:42

 

The Association of American Medical Colleges released an update, comprehensive report on physician shortages in May, 2011. To view the report, please click here.


IMG Taskforce Lobby Day Legislative Materials
Monday, 18 April 2011 17:34

 

Link to Legislative Materials - IMG Taskforce National Day of Action - On April 9, 2011, twenty representatives of the IMG Taskforce, representing more than 15 states and hundereds of IMG physicians nationwide, carried out the most well-coordinated advocacy effort in taskforce history on Capitol Hill. IMG Taskforce members educated Congressmen and women and their legislative aids to garner support of permanent reauthorization of the Conrad 30 bill, which facilitates access to medical care in underserved areas accross the United States.


IMG Taskforce Members to visit Capitol Hill on behalf of IMGs - April 8, 2011
Wednesday, 09 March 2011 20:21

 

 The IMG Taskforce will hold its annual Physician Lobby Day in Washington DC on April 8, 2010. IMG Taskforce Members from accross the country will convene on Capitol Hill to educate Congressional representatives and their staff about the immigration system as it relates to IMGs and other medical providers. Our goal is to raise awarenes of some of immigration problems IMGs face in training, working, and living in the United States so that Members of Congress will be more effective and informed advocates for our cause.


IMG Taskforce Member Robert Aronson on "Healthigration"
Wednesday, 09 March 2011 20:12

 

IMG Taskforce Member Robert Aronson writes about the importance of Immigration Reform to the success of Obama's Healthcare plan. Healthcare Reform + Immigration = "Healthigration" Throughout its whole tortured path to passage, immigration and healthcare reform became intertwined in teh public's mind on the issue of healthcare coverage eligibility for undocumented aliens. Buth there is another intersection point between healthcare reform and immigration, and that concerns the potential for foreign physicians to staff the startling and constantly growing shortage of physicians that just recently became even more exacerbated through the expansion of healthcae coverage to roughly 32 million additoinal Americans....

 

To view the complete post, click here.


IMG Taskforce Member Greg Siskind - Guest Colum in the Commercial Appeal - Memphis TN

Wednesday, 09 March 2011 20:09

 

IMG Taskforce Member Greg Siskind Guest Column in the Commercial Appeal - Memphis, TN

Health Reform Needs Immigration Reform

Excerpt: "The 2,700-page health care bill approved by Congress certainly doesn't lack detail in describing how it plans to extend coverage to 32 million more Americans. But its failrue to address one basic question could very well doom its chances for success in expanding acces to health insurance: How will we handle a significant increase in patients -- a number equivalent to the pupulation of Canada -- when we already are experiencing a drastic shortage of doctors and nurses?" Click on the link above to access the entire commentary.


Cap Exemption Action Update

Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:20

 

Cap Exemption Action Update & FAQ



Senators Menendez and Leahy Introduce First Comprehensive Immigration Bill of 2010

Monday, 18 October 2010 19:18

 

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 (S. 3932)  was introduced in September 2010 by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NY) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). This bill represents an important step in advancing reforms of our nation's broken immigration system. The Menendez-Leahy bill is the first comprehensive immigration bill introduced in the Senate since 2007. It includes key elements that both Republican and Democratic leaders have called for: enhanced border security, mandatory employment verification, fixes to the business and family visa systems, a legalization plan for the millions who are undocumented, and stiffer penalties on illegal immigration. This bill launches the long-needed debate about how to reform our immigration system.


Senators Sanders and Grassley Unveil Immigration Amendment

Friday, 11 June 2010 13:30

 

On June 9, 2010, Senators Sanders (I-VT) and Grassley (R-IA) unveiled an immigration-related amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213) also known as the "tax extenders" bill.


Primary Care MD Shortage Looming

Friday, 28 May 2010 16:28

 

PRIMARY CARE MD SHORTAGE LOOMING

The Pittsburgh Tribune reports:

 

The shortage of primary care physicians is attributed to many reasons. Among them are low compensation compared with specialists, a lack of interest by medical school graduates, liability problems and a growing number of primary care doctors opting for early retirement. How primary care is viewed, discussed and taught in many medical schools, is cited.

"Primary care is one of the lowest paid physician professions today," said Ralph Schmeltz, for more than 40 years a practicing internal medicine doctor prior to retiring last July, and president-elect of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

Health care reform's mandate that all Americans have health insurance soon will run into the reality of a lack of new primary care doctors such as Andrew Fisher at all levels.


Proposed bill to encourage physicians to practice medicine in underserved areas

Thursday, 03 December 2009 00:00

 

Senator Conrad of North Dakota intends to propose legislation to provide incentive to physicians willing to practice medicine in rural and medically underserved areas. The bill is to be included in the health care reform bill and although the exact language of the bill has not been finalized, it proposes to exempt qualified physicians willing to make a long term commitment to practice medicine in medically underserved areas from the immigrant and nonimmigrant visa cap. The proposed bill may also contain a provision which would allow H-1B visa holders to participate in the Conrad 30 program and would extend similar benefits exempting qualified physicians from the immigrant and nonimmigrant visa cap.


Three-year extension of the Conrad 30 Program

Wednesday, 28 October 2009 00:00

 

On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed the Homeland Security Appropriation bill into law. The bill included a Three-year extension of the Conrad 30 J-1 visa waiver program. This would mean that a J-1 physician who enters the United States on or before September 30, 2012 to complete a training program can pursue a waiver of the two year home residency requirement under the Conrad 30 program.


Advocacy
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 16:15

 

Legislative Policy Materials - IMG Taskforce National Day of Action April 9, 2011  

Cap Exemption Action Update and FAQ - January 11, 2011  

 

Public Comment Submitted to Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas