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Legal en USA

Trump Introduces Pathway to Permanent Residency for College Graduates

Trump has proposed a new immigration idea that completely opposes the principles he has promoted throughout his political career. This new proposal would "benefit" foreign graduates from American universities and is part of the larger idea of retaining top talent in the United States.


joven estudiante sosteniendo carpetas con bandera americana de fondo
“Alguien se gradúa entre los mejores de la clase y ni siquiera puede llegar a un acuerdo con una empresa porque no cree que vaya a poder quedarse en el país. Eso se va a acabar el primer día” - Donald J. Trump

In a surprising shift in his immigration policy, former President and 2024 election candidate Donald Trump has announced a new proposal that would benefit foreign graduates of U.S. universities. During an interview on the All-In podcast, Trump expressed his intention to grant permanent residency to international students who graduate from American universities.


“What I want to do and what I will do is that if you graduate from a university, I think you should automatically get, as part of your diploma, a green card to stay in this country,” Trump stated. This declaration marks a significant departure from his traditionally restrictive stance on immigration.


Trump specified that this measure would apply to “anyone who graduates from a university” in the U.S. His goal, he commented, is to “import the best and brightest from all around the world to the United States.” This initiative would be one of his top priorities on the first day of his potential new administration.


The former president highlighted that many graduates from top-tier universities wish to stay in the U.S. to work but are forced to return to their home countries due to current visa restrictions. “Someone graduates at the top of their class and can’t even make a deal with a company because they don’t think they’ll be able to stay in the country. That will end on day one,” Trump declared.


Trump's Contradictory Position After Announcing His Idea to Grant Permanent Residency to University Graduates.

fake vs true arrows pointing different ways
Llevará Trump, realmente, su idea a la práctica si es reelecto como presidente o es solo propaganda de cara a las próximas elecciones.

This proposal contrasts with the anti-immigration rhetoric that Trump has maintained throughout his campaign and presidency. During his term, he implemented policies such as the "Buy American and Hire American" executive order, which sought to prioritize American workers and products, and temporarily suspended various visa programs, including those used by tech companies to bring in highly skilled workers.


Hours after the interview, Trump's campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, clarified that the graduates would undergo a rigorous vetting process to exclude "communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters," and "America haters." This vetting would be essential to ensure that the green card recipients are individuals who can make significant contributions to the United States without negatively impacting the local job market.


While this idea has generated diverse opinions, it is clear that it aims to attract highly skilled international talent to stay in the United States and contribute to its economy. "You need a group of people to work for your companies, and they have to be smart people," Trump commented. By allowing these graduates to remain in the country, Trump argues that the economy would benefit and it would prevent these bright minds from strengthening other nations such as India and China.




Trump's proposal to grant permanent residency to graduates of U.S. universities could significantly change the country's immigration and labor landscape. However, its implementation and acceptance will depend on numerous political and social factors. If you have questions about how this proposal might affect you or want more information about immigration options, at Legal en USA, an immigration law office in Miami, we are here to help. Call us at 305-446-8686 to receive the best advice and assistance on immigration matters.

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