Former US President Donald Trump has made a significant shift in his stance on immigration, announcing that he plans to grant automatic green cards to Nigerians and other foreign graduates of US colleges. This move marks a departure from his previously hardline views on immigration, which were a central part of his presidential campaign and administration.
From Border Walls to Welcoming Foreign Talent
Trump’s presidency (2017-2021) was characterized by strict immigration policies, including the construction of a border wall and travel bans on predominantly Muslim countries (Guardian, 2024). However, this new proposal aligns more closely with tech industry needs for skilled workers, suggesting a potential recalibration of Trump’s immigration stance in response to economic considerations.
Trump Promises “Day One” Implementation of Green Card Policy
During a podcast interview, Trump stated that foreign graduates from US colleges, including two-year programs and doctoral degrees, should automatically receive green cards with their diplomas (Al Jazeera, 2024). He emphasized the need to retain talented individuals who might otherwise return to countries like India or China, potentially becoming “multi-billionaires employing thousands” elsewhere (Guardian, 2024). Trump’s proposal would automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges, allowing them to stay in the country and potentially creating hundreds of thousands of new citizenship applicants each year (The Guardian, 2024). The plan has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move as a way to attract highly skilled workers and others criticizing it as a departure from Trump’s hardline immigration stance (Daily Post, 2024).
Biden’s Immigration Policy for Dreamers
This shift in Trump’s stance comes amid a backdrop of increased scrutiny on immigration policies. His Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden, has recently announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals and simplified the process for “Dreamers” (undocumented migrants who came to the US as children) to obtain work visas. Trump’s proposal has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a positive step towards retaining talent in the US while others are skeptical about the potential impact on the labor market and immigration policies.
Future Implications of the News
Trump’s plan could have significant implications for the US economy and immigration policies. If implemented, it could attract top talent from around the world, boosting the country’s competitiveness and innovation. However, it may also face opposition from those who believe it goes against Trump’s previous stance on immigration and could lead to increased competition for American workers (NBC News, 2024).
Sources
Aljazeera. (2024). Trump says he would give green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/6/21/trump-says-he-would-give-green-cards-to-foreign-graduates-of-us-colleges
France24. (2024). Trump advocates for automatic green cards for foreign college graduates. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20240620-trump-green-cards-foreign-college-graduates
The Guardian. (2024). Trump promises foreign graduates green card. Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/trump-promises-foreign-graduates-green-card/
NBC News. (2024). Trump floats green cards for noncitizen college graduates. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-floats-green-cards-non-citizen-college-graduates-rcna158211
Daily Post. (2024). Trump plans automatic Green Cards for Nigerians, other international students. Retrieved from https://dailypost.ng/2024