Former US President Donald Trump surprised many with his recent proposal to grant green cards to students graduating from American colleges. Known for his strict immigration policies, Trump suggested that to retain top talent in the country, graduates from American institutions, including junior colleges, should automatically receive green cards.
In an episode of the All-In podcast, Trump stated, “You graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country.”
Despite his firm anti-immigration stance during his presidency, which included mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, and travel bans on certain Muslim-majority nations, Trump indicated a potential shift in policy. Politico reported that during his term, Trump pursued the construction of a border wall along the US-Mexico border, completing 452 miles by the end of his tenure. It remains unclear whether Trump’s proposal would apply to immigrants who entered the country illegally.
Trump pointed out that top graduates often struggle to secure employment due to their uncertain immigration status. “Somebody graduates at the top of the class, 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,” Trump said, according to Politico. He pledged to address this issue “on day one” if his proposal were implemented.
