Former US President Donald Trump, known for his stringent immigration policies, has made a surprising pivot by promising green cards to foreign students who graduate from American colleges. This announcement, made during an interview on the All-In Podcast, a business and technology news platform, marks a significant shift in his approach as he vies for the Republican nomination in the upcoming elections.
Trump stated, “What I want and what I will do is this: if you graduate from a college, I think you should get a green card and be able to stay in this country.” He emphasized that this policy would apply to graduates holding degrees from two-year community colleges as well as those with doctoral degrees.
This proposal comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s announcement that nearly half a million undocumented immigrants who married American citizens would be granted citizenship. Trump’s response appears to counter Biden’s move by focusing on retaining educated immigrants who, according to Trump, often choose to return to their home countries where they contribute significantly to local economies.
“I know many who have graduated from well-known or even less well-known colleges here and are desperate to stay but can’t,” Trump said. He elaborated on the brain drain issue, highlighting that these individuals return to countries like India and China, start companies, and become highly successful, benefiting those economies instead of the United States.
The former president argued that America needs skilled workers who currently cannot make long-term commitments to U.S. companies because they do not believe they can stay in the country. He promised that this policy change would be implemented immediately if he were to return to office.
During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump was noted for his hardline immigration measures, including the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and travel bans on citizens from predominantly Muslim countries. His new stance represents a potentially appealing shift to voters who favor practical immigration policies that harness the talents of international students.
Trump concluded, “We need to keep the best and brightest in this country. They’re going to our schools, we educate them, and rather than sending them home to compete against us, we should keep them here to strengthen our workforce.”
This announcement could stir significant discussions on immigration policy among voters and policymakers as the election approaches, highlighting the ongoing debate about the role of skilled immigrants in the US economy.
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