Despite his administration’s record of restricting high-skilled immigration, Donald Trump recently expressed support for granting green cards to all foreign graduates of U.S. universities. In a podcast interview, Trump said he favored automatic green cards for these graduates, but his past actions and expected opposition make this proposal unlikely to become law if he is re-elected.
The Podcast Interview
On June 19, 2024, Trump discussed his immigration views on the All-In podcast. He proposed giving automatic green cards to anyone graduating from a U.S. college, including junior colleges. 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,” Trump stated, promising to address the issue on “day one.
Following media interest, Trump’s campaign released a statement emphasizing a rigorous vetting process for excluding individuals deemed a threat or burden, while supporting the most skilled graduates. The statement clarified that only the most thoroughly vetted graduates would be eligible, ensuring they do not undercut American wages or workers.
Trump’s Record on High-Skilled Immigration
While Trump often advocated for “merit-based” immigration, his presidency saw numerous restrictions on high-skilled immigrants, especially through H-1B visa policies. His administration significantly increased denial rates for H-1B petitions and issued numerous Requests for Evidence, causing many professionals to leave the U.S.
In 2020, Trump issued proclamations blocking the entry of high-skilled temporary visa holders and employment-based immigrants, using authority that no other president had exercised in such a broad manner.
Practical and Political Obstacles
If re-elected, Trump is unlikely to pass legislation granting green cards to all foreign graduates of U.S. universities. Key advisers, like Stephen Miller, have historically worked to reduce legal immigration and would likely oppose such a measure. Miller has been influential in lowering the number of immigrants admitted during Trump’s presidency and has shown admiration for restrictive immigration laws.
Efforts to pass such a law could be hindered by political maneuvering. Linking the proposal to contentious provisions, such as those in H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, could lead to filibustering by Democrats. Additionally, some Republicans, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), have criticized Trump’s statement on green cards for college graduates.
During the 2022 negotiations over the CHIPS and Science Act, a more modest immigration reform for international graduates was blocked by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), despite its potential to become law with Trump’s support.
Trump’s recent statements may be aimed at pleasing his podcast hosts and supporters in Silicon Valley, rather than indicating a serious legislative intent. Although Trump made similar comments in 2015, he did not pursue this policy during his presidency.