Trump's Green Card Proposal for College Grads Draws Mixed Reactions

President-elect Donald Trump's recent proposal to automatically provide green cards to foreign nationals who graduate from US colleges has sparked renewed controversy.

First discussed on the All-In Podcast in June, Trump's proposal suggests that foreign nationals who graduate from US colleges, including community colleges, should automatically receive green cards upon graduation. This initiative aims to combat the “brain drain” by retaining highly skilled individuals in the US workforce, which proponents argue is essential for driving economic growth and job creation.

However, the proposal has sparked significant controversy. Trump supporters have raised concerns that an influx of incoming immigrants could displace US workers. As debates around immigration and labour policies intensify, analysts weigh the economic benefits of keeping foreign graduates in the country against these anxieties in the market.

The issue has gained further prominence following a viral video of Trump’s interview retweeted by Elon Musk, a prominent supporter and entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Musk has vocalized the necessity for skilled foreign labour, particularly in the technology sector. Meanwhile, major institutions, including New York University, Cornell University, and the University of Southern California, strongly encourage their international students to return to the United States before potential travel bans are reinstated.

They have expressed apprehension that Trump's administration could impose strict travel and visa restrictions during the transition period, compromising students' ability to re-enter the country. International students in the United States typically hold nonimmigrant visas that permit them to study but do not provide a pathway to permanent residency.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s immigration policies, universities are proactively safeguarding their international student populations to mitigate disruptions to their education. During his first term in 2017, Trump implemented travel restrictions targeting citizens from several nations. These measures faced widespread criticism and were ultimately challenged in the courts.