Washington, DC – Ahmad Javed Momand was a doctor in Afghanistan. Now, he works as a lab tech, processing test results and taking employees’ temperatures at a U.S. health care facility. Both of his jobs are vital and important. But only one requires the time and skills involved in completing a PhD in medicine.
Dr. Momand’s training and experience would be put to better use in his adopted home, the United States, if Congress passes H.R. 8046, the Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Reps. Katko (R-NY) and McAdams (D-UT), and cosponsored by Reps. Horn (D-OK) and Murphy (D-FL), directs the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to study the factors that lead to the underemployment and unemployment of immigrants and refugees who hold professional credentials earned outside the United States. Read about other people this bill would address here.
Today, 101 national, state, and local organizations, including faith groups across traditions, announced their support for the bipartisan bill, and called for its swift passage. Because of unnecessary licensing restrictions, they point out, an estimated two million immigrants and refugees with college degrees are underemployed or unemployed in the U.S. today., like Dr. Momand. As he explains:
I worked hard to become a doctor in Afghanistan, completing seven years of medical school and a three-year residency. I practiced medicine for five years before coming to the U.S. Unfortunately, the U.S. requires almost all internationally-trained physicians to re-take medical exams and re-do their residency, no matter how many years of experience we have abroad. I understand the need to vet our credentials before we’re allowed to practice in the U.S, but this unnecessarily burdensome re-licensing process prevents many talented doctors from fully contributing at a moment when we are sorely needed.
Rep. Katko said: “Members of our immigrant and refugee communities come from diverse range of professional backgrounds, and can help strengthen our region’s workforce and benefit local businesses. We must ensure that we uncover the untapped talent in our community.”
In a letter supporting the bill, Most Rev. Mario E. Dorsonville, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington and Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration, wrote: “For Catholics, work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continued participation in God’s Creation. ‘The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others’ (Deuteronomy 14: 28-29). We are supportive of this bill that would help us to explore how immigrants and refugees in our midst might better use the gifts of their professional expertise, higher education, and skills for themselves, their families, and communities throughout the United States.”
Last week, the House Immigration Subcommittee held a hearing on “Immigrants as Essential Workers During COVID-19.” Church World Service submitted this testimony.
“Men, women and families come to America not just to live, but to contribute to their new communities. Among them are doctors and nurses, scientists and engineers, all who have the training, the knowledge, and the desire to work for our collective betterment. Sadly, most of our immigrant and refugee neighbors are unable to because of a complex system that leaves their potential and expertise untapped,” said Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of Church World Service. “This bill is a welcome step towards addressing their underutilization and ensuring all who call America home can use their talents to make us a stronger, healthier, and safer nation.”
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
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