Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has argued that foreigners who graduate from American universities should automatically receive permanent residency (green cards). This stance contrasts with his previously tough rhetoric on immigration issues.
According to AP News and others, on the 20th (local time), Trump stated this during the All In podcast hosted by Silicon Valley investors when asked by an angel investor to "promise a way to attract the best talent in the world to the United States." He said, "What I want to do and intend to do is your university graduates."
He said, "(Foreigners) should automatically receive permanent residency along with their diplomas to stay in this country," adding, "This includes community colleges." He continued, "If someone graduates from a two-year or four-year college or obtains a degree, they should be able to stay in this country," emphasizing that he would resolve this issue on his first day in office.
Immigration policy, including permanent residency, is considered one of the major issues in the upcoming November presidential election. Trump’s proposal to automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates and open the path to citizenship significantly deviates from his previously stated anti-immigration stance. Previously, Trump had announced that upon re-election, he would close the southern border and deport illegal immigrants starting from his first day in office.
Unlike illegal immigrants, against whom he has made disparaging remarks, he seems to show some acceptance toward foreigners with a college degree or higher. However, it remains unclear whether illegal residents would be included among the university graduates who would automatically receive permanent residency.
On this day, Trump attributed his inability to implement this policy during his term to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also mentioned that he knows stories of people who graduated from top universities but could not secure visas and had to return to their home countries. He said, "Companies need a talent pool to work," adding, "They have to be smart people."
However, it is unclear whether these remarks are aimed at winning votes ahead of the election or if he intends to implement measures distinguishing between illegal and legal entrants. AP News noted, "Trump’s team says they distinguish between illegal and legal entrants," but also pointed out, "The Trump administration previously pushed regulations on legal immigration such as family-based visas and the visa lottery program."
During the pandemic, the Trump administration sought to forcibly deport tens of thousands of foreign students when U.S. schools switched to online classes. However, it withdrew the plan after facing strong opposition and lawsuits from universities. The administration also restricted the H-1B program, a major visa option for international students and a professional employment visa, calling it "unfair." As a result, local observers expect that if Trump wins re-election, the rejection rate for such visa issuances will increase.
Aaron Laiklin-Melik, Policy Director at the American Immigration Council, told major foreign media, "The Trump administration adopted several policies that restricted student visas and made it harder to stay in the U.S. after graduation," adding, "I almost laughed at Trump’s proposal."
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