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Write Your Member of Congress to Protect J-1, F-1, and H-1B Visa Holders

AACI encourages you to write your representatives in Washington to express concern about two recent presidential proclamations that suspend visa processing for individuals from China and for certain categories of high-skilled, non-immigrant visas from around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present a public health emergency and economic crisis. J-1, F-1, and H-1B visas are critical tools that cancer centers use to attract top talent in scientific research and patient care to the United States.

AACI cancer centers recruit and employ the best and brightest scientific researchers, and a significant percentage of these researchers are foreign-born. Foreign nationals working in cancer research facilities typically include physicians, researchers, research technicians, information technology specialists, and lab technologists. When sponsoring cancer researchers through the labor certification/green card process, cancer centers incur the same costs and time as other employers.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer centers should be focusing their time and resources in support of policies that foster innovation and economic growth and that promote the health and safety of the American people. Prohibiting the entry of valued STEM students, postdoctoral associates, scientists, and researchers does not address our nation’s public health needs or stimulate economic recovery. 

Please write your member of Congress to remind them that placing limitations on new, non-immigrant visas only serves to impede progress against cancer, COVID-19, and other major illnesses.

Write Your Member of Congress