Former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has proposed to automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, marking a departure from his typically stringent views.
The Republican candidate made these remarks during a podcast published on Thursday June 20, following President Joe Biden’s recent announcement of a pathway to citizenship for immigrants married to US citizens, which countered Biden’s recent crackdown on illegal border crossings.
“I believe that when you graduate from college, you should automatically receive, as part of your diploma, a green card to stay in this country,” Trump stated on the All-In podcast.
A green card, formally known as a permanent resident card in the United States, represents a significant step towards citizenship.
Trump emphasised that this policy should apply to all college graduates, including those from two-year junior college programs and doctoral graduates.
Responding affirmatively to a question about importing talented individuals to America, Trump declared, “I promise to do that.”
He highlighted stories of graduates from top colleges who wish to remain in the US but face obstacles. “They go back to India, they go back to China, and they start a similar company there, becoming multi-billionaires employing thousands,” Trump noted.
He underscored the importance of skilled individuals for US companies, criticizing current constraints on making deals due to immigration uncertainties. “That ends on day one,” he affirmed.
While he was President from 2017 to 2021, Trump initiated the construction of a border wall with Mexico and implemented a travel ban affecting predominantly Muslim countries.
His remarks follow Biden’s recent move to ease visa regulations for approximately half a million spouses of US citizens, facilitating their path to citizenship.