Former President Donald Trump suggested a significant policy shift in a recent interview, expressing his desire to grant automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. This proposal, if implemented, would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for potentially hundreds of thousands of foreign graduates, a departure from Trump’s usual anti-immigrant rhetoric. Immigration has been a central issue for Trump during his 2024 bid to return to the White House, with his campaign often focusing on the dangers of illegal immigration and the need to protect American jobs and resources. However, his plan to offer green cards to foreign graduates represents a notable expansion of America’s immigration system.
Throughout his political career, Trump has consistently emphasized the distinction between illegal and legal immigration. While focusing on curbing illegal immigration, his administration also proposed reforms to the legal immigration system, such as limiting family-based visas and the visa lottery program. Trump’s “Buy American and Hire American” executive order, issued early in his presidency, aimed to ensure that business visas were awarded only to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants in order to protect American workers. Despite previously criticizing the H1-B program for hiring temporary foreign workers at lower pay, Trump’s recent proposal to grant green cards to foreign graduates reflects a shift in his immigration policy approach.
During the interview with venture capitalists and tech investors on the podcast “All-In,” Trump attributed the inability to implement these measures during his presidency to the coronavirus pandemic. He highlighted the challenges faced by foreign students graduating from top colleges who struggle to secure visas to stay in the U.S., often leading them to return to their native countries like India and China where they eventually become successful entrepreneurs. Trump emphasized the importance of attracting skilled and intelligent individuals to work in American companies, stressing the need for a pool of talented workers. His campaign press secretary indicated that Trump’s proposed policy would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would not undercut American wages or workers, emphasizing the importance of excluding individuals with radical ideologies or anti-American sentiments.
While Trump’s proposal for automatic green cards for foreign graduates represents a significant departure from his usual immigration rhetoric, it aligns with his focus on attracting talented individuals to contribute to the American economy. By offering a pathway to citizenship to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges, Trump aims to address the challenges faced by skilled individuals who struggle to secure visas to remain in the country. This policy shift may signal a new approach to immigration under a potential second term for Trump, focusing on welcoming skilled individuals who can make significant contributions to the U.S. economy. As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s stance on immigration is likely to continue evolving as he seeks to appeal to a broad range of voters with varying perspectives on the issue.
