Trump is Unlikely to Offer Visas to Foreign Grads of US Universities
In our recent webinar on Immigration Under the New Administration we were asked about the incoming President’s mention during his campaign of providing green cards to people who completed college studies in the US.
In an excellent analysis for Forbes, immigration expert Stuart Anderson examined the challenges surrounding a potential Trump administration’s ability to overhaul immigration policies favoring college-educated immigrants. Trump has indicated support for such measures, but Anderson highlighted several hurdles that make significant policy changes unlikely.
Background:
On June 19, 2024 Donald Trump was being interviewed for venture capitalist podcast All-In when he stated that he thinks green cards should be automatically given to foreign nationals who graduate from U.S. colleges, an issue he promised to address on “day one.” His campaign quickly followed up to clarify that “this would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers.”
While this proposal may sound appealing to many foreign national students, its implementation is highly unlikely.
Key Points:
Historical Approach vs. Current Claims
While Trump has voiced interest in increasing legal pathways for skilled immigrants, his first administration’s policies often restricted immigration. Measures such as stricter H-1B visa rules and heightened denial rates underlined this contrast, suggesting potential resistance to expansive reforms favoring foreign graduates. Not only did the prior Trump administration wage what some analysts called a regulatory war against companies, international students and H-1B visa holders, in his last year in office Trump issued proclamations to prevent the entry of nearly all categories of immigrants.
Significant Obstacles and Opposition
Trump’s key immigration advisers, such as Stephen Miller, have long worked to reduce legal immigration, including the entry of high-skilled foreign nationals, and would almost certainly reject such a proposal. In 2017, Stephen Miller worked to undermine a deal Trump had reached with Congressional leaders to protect Dreamers (those under the DACA program). History indicates that, even if Trump tried to make his proposal a reality, immigration opponents in his own administration would block it.
Feasibility of Promised Policies
Critics argue that proposed changes often overlook logistical challenges, such as long-standing visa backlogs and existing caps. Even if enacted, these policies might struggle to deliver the promised benefits within a single administration.
Why would Trump say something like this?
One of the hosts of the podcast is a venture capitalist who hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in Silicon Valley. The proposal was a response to Trump being asked if he could promise to “give us more ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America.” As Anderson notes, Trump’s desire to please the venture capitalists interviewing him may explain his eagerness to advocate for a proposal that contradicts his administration’s prior actions.
For businesses reliant on international talent, these insights underscore the importance of staying informed about evolving immigration policies. Companies navigating visa and compliance challenges should seek experienced legal guidance to adapt to any changes effectively.
