Trump Proposes Automatic Green Cards for US Graduates to Retain Top Talent

Donald Trump's idea to grant automatic Green Cards to foreign students graduating from American universities was not a spontaneous suggestion. According to Politico, Trump discussed this policy during a business roundtable meeting last week, where Apple CEO Tim Cook was present. "When he talked about finding ways to keep American-educated talent at home, some top CEOs, like Apple’s Tim Cook, were seen nodding their heads," the report said. The tech industry leaders seemed relieved when Trump supported the idea of retaining high-skilled immigrants in the US.

Tim Cook has consistently criticized Trump's immigration policies, particularly the termination of DACA, an Obama-era program protecting some undocumented immigrants from deportation. In 2019, Apple supported DACA in court, noting it employed 443 "Dreamers" shielded by the program. Apple stated, “Every one of these talented Dreamers should have the same opportunities as Steve did to create, work hard, and help change the world for the better.”

Looking ahead to 2024, Trump expressed a more compassionate view on immigration during "The All-In Podcast." He proposed that foreign nationals who graduate from US colleges and universities should automatically receive a Green Card, ensuring that the best talent remains in the country. Trump specifically mentioned India and China, lamenting that many bright students return to their home countries and become successful entrepreneurs, generating significant employment there instead of in the US.

Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, clarified that there would be a strict vetting process for Green Card candidates, excluding communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters, and those who could become public charges. Only the most skilled graduates who can significantly contribute to America would receive an automatic Green Card.

The US State Department estimated that around 1 million international students studied in the US during the academic year ending in 2022, with the majority coming from China and India. Without any restrictions, Trump's proposal would mean absorbing 1 million new citizens annually.