Donald J. Trump recently announced his intention to advocate for a program that would automatically grant green cards to all foreign college students in the United States upon graduation, marking a shift from the immigration restrictions he implemented during his presidency that targeted high-skilled workers and students.
However, shortly after Trump’s statement, his campaign’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, clarified that there would be a rigorous vetting process in place. This process would exclude individuals such as communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters, and public charges. The policy would specifically apply to highly skilled graduates who can offer significant contributions to the country.
During a podcast appearance with host David Sacks, a Silicon Valley investor supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign, Trump expressed his belief that high levels of immigration represent an “invasion” of the country. However, when pressed by another investor, Jason Calacanis, to provide more opportunities for importing talented individuals to the U.S., Trump pledged to grant automatic green cards to college graduates as part of their diploma.
This proposed policy change would have significant implications, potentially opening up a broad pathway to American citizenship for international students. The United States hosted approximately one million international students in the 2022 academic year, with a majority coming from China and India. With the U.S. granting lawful permanent residence to roughly one million individuals in the previous year, this policy shift would lead to a substantial increase in the issuance of green cards.
Trump mentioned on the podcast that he had considered implementing such a policy during his presidency but was sidetracked by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. His administration used the pandemic as justification for implementing various immigration restrictions that had been on the agenda since the early days of his term.
Despite his previous stance on immigration, where he prioritized wealthy and highly skilled immigrants, Trump’s recent comments mark a departure from his earlier policies. His campaign’s clarification statement added a layer of complexity to what seemed like a direct appeal to affluent business leaders who are potential donors and supporters of his campaign.
Throughout his presidency, Trump took steps to tighten restrictions on various immigration programs, including green cards, visa programs, and refugee resettlement. His adviser, Stephen Miller, played a key role in shaping the administration’s immigration agenda, aiming to limit student and work visa programs.
Trump’s immigration policies during his tenure included bans on travelers from predominantly Muslim countries, proposals to reduce legal immigration, and criticism of visa programs like H-1B, which he viewed as detrimental to American prosperity. He continued to expand restrictions on legal immigration, especially during the pandemic, and even considered suspending all immigration to the U.S. at one point.
In the lead-up to the 2020 election, Trump further restricted the H-1B visa program, showcasing his administration’s ongoing efforts to curb immigration. Despite his recent proposal regarding green cards for college graduates, Trump’s immigration policies have been characterized by a consistent push to limit immigration and prioritize certain categories of immigrants.
