Donald Trump, the former US President known for his strong stance against immigration, made a surprising announcement that he would provide automatic green-cards to all US college graduates if elected.
“It’s disheartening to see talented individuals from prestigious institutions like Harvard, MIT, and other exceptional schools leave the country,” Trump mentioned in a podcast. He emphasized, “I plan to ensure that any college graduate, including those from junior colleges, receives a green-card upon graduation, whether it’s a two-year or four-year program or even a doctorate.”
Following the podcast, Trump’s campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated, “Trump has proposed the most rigorous vetting process in US history to screen out communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, anti-American individuals, and those who would burden the public welfare system.” She clarified, “This initiative is aimed at highly qualified college graduates who would not pose a threat to American jobs or wages.”
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Indian Community on Green-Card Remarks
Trump’s recent comments on green card reforms have been well-received by the Indian American community, which has long been affected by US visa and immigration regulations. Atal Agarwal, a leading voice for Indian immigrants, praised Trump for addressing the need to enhance the legal immigration system and support high-skilled individuals from India.
With Democrats seemingly not focusing on the concerns of the Indian community, Agarwal emphasized the importance of backing Trump. Suchit Ahuja, a professor at Concordia University, shared his personal experience of being forced to leave the US due to the challenges of obtaining a green card from an H1B visa.
However, this statement represents a significant departure from Trump’s typical rhetoric on immigration. Previously, he has asserted that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country” and pledged to execute the largest deportation operation in US history if elected.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) exclaimed, “Populist Trump strikes again! Now, all an illegal migrant needs to do is graduate from Phoenix University, and voila, they receive a green-card! Trump’s stance on immigration has changed, and I believe that MAGA will simply accept it without question!”
Frank DeScushin, a Republican supporter of X, contended, “Trump’s proposal to grant a green-card to any foreign student graduating from a US college, including two-year colleges, will lead to an increase in the number of immigrants entering and remaining in the US. Additionally, it will intensify the competition for college spots, making it more challenging for American students.”
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Can Donald Trump be Trusted over Green-Card Remark?
Trump made similar promises in 2016, but as president, he implemented policies to curtail legal immigration, which contradicted his previous statements. For instance, he slowed down H1B renewals and revoked the right to work for H1B spouses.
Anshu Sharma, an Indian entrepreneur from California, criticized Trump, calling him a liar who would say anything to anyone. Trump’s stance on legal immigration, including his negative view of H-1B visas, was evident throughout his presidency.
He proposed restrictions on family-based visas and the visa lottery program and issued the “Buy American and Hire American” executive order. While this proposal could potentially benefit high-skilled Indian professionals, it raises concerns about its feasibility and consistency with Trump’s past policies. This statement has also caused dissatisfaction among Trump’s loyal Maga voter base.
Throughout his campaigns, Trump has consistently made grand promises, some of which have not been fulfilled or have been met with significant legal and political challenges. His prior statements and actions, which include harsh deportation policies and derogatory remarks about immigrants, reveal a nuanced and occasionally contradictory approach to immigration reform. In terms of rhetoric, the statement about green-card seems to be aimed at securing support from immigrant communities in advance of the election, rather than signaling a true shift in ideology.
