Former US President Donald Trump has pledged to grant automatic Green Cards to foreign students who graduate from US colleges, aiming to prevent them from returning to their home countries, such as India and China, where they often become successful entrepreneurs.

This promise marks a shift from his previous anti-immigration stance, coming ahead of the November presidential election where immigration is a key issue. Trump has always supported a merit-based immigration system.

In a recent “All-In” podcast, Trump stated, “Graduating from a college should come with a Green Card to stay in the US. This includes junior colleges too.” A Green Card allows permanent residency in the US.

The podcast, hosted by four venture capitalists, including three immigrants, saw Trump being urged to facilitate the entry of talented individuals to the US. He lamented stories of graduates returning to their home countries to start companies, becoming multi-billionaires, and employing thousands, a success that could have benefited the US.

Trump reiterated his first-term policy that foreign students in STEM fields should receive Green Cards upon graduation. He emphasized the need to keep talented graduates in the country, stating, “This ends on day one.”

According to the Institute of International Education, over a million international students studied in the US during the 2022-23 academic year, with China and India being the top contributors.

Trump’s comments contrast with his past immigration policies, which included significant restrictions on various forms of legal immigration and prioritized wealthy or highly educated immigrants. These latest remarks appear to be an overture to wealthy business leaders for support in his campaign.

Source: PTI

Also read: Technology will derail Trump agenda