Trump Proposes Green Cards for Foreign Graduates in Shift on Immigration
Donald Trump has announced his intention to grant green cards to foreign graduates from U.S. colleges, signaling a potential softening of his typically hard-line stance on immigration—a major election issue.
In a podcast published Thursday, the Republican candidate stated his plan shortly after President Joe Biden introduced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to U.S. nationals, balancing his recent crackdown on illegal border crossings.
“What I want to do and what I will do is, if you graduate from a college, you should automatically receive a green card along with your diploma to stay in this country,” Trump said on the All-In podcast.
A green card, formally known as a permanent resident card, is a key step toward U.S. citizenship.
Trump specified that this policy would apply to “anybody who graduates from a college,” including those completing two-year programs at junior colleges and doctoral graduates.
When asked if he would commit to attracting the “best and the brightest around the world to America,” Trump affirmed, “I do promise.”
He recounted stories of graduates from top colleges who wanted to stay in the U.S. but couldn’t, forcing them to return to countries like India and China, where they built successful companies employing thousands.
U.S. companies need “smart people,” Trump added, saying, “They can’t even make a deal with a company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country. That is going to end on day one.”
During his 2017-2021 presidency, Trump ordered the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and enacted a travel ban on individuals from several predominantly Muslim countries.
His remarks followed Democrat opponent Biden’s Tuesday announcement easing visa rules for about half a million spouses of U.S. nationals, facilitating their path to citizenship.
Biden also streamlined the process for “Dreamers”—migrants who entered the U.S. illegally as children—to obtain work visas if they have graduated college and secured a high-skilled job offer.
Earlier in June, Biden signed an executive order preventing migrants who enter the U.S. illegally from claiming asylum when daily numbers exceed 2,500, addressing criticism from Republicans that he is too lenient on immigration.
