Green Cards for Grads: Trump’s new vote magnet?

Imagine you’ve just tossed your graduation cap in the air at a top US university, and then you receive a life-changing announcement from Donald Trump. The former president, known for his unpredictable policies, has proposed granting Green Cards to foreign graduates. The announcement has caught the attention of many, especially within the international student community. Currently, many international students face uncertainty about their ability to remain in the US after completing their studies. A guaranteed Green Card would eliminate this worry, providing a clear path to permanent residency and potentially boosting the number of international students applying to US universities.

Promises to ease immigration restrictions for students and skilled workers are not new. Over the years, various US administrations have made similar commitments, often with mixed results. For instance, the Obama administration introduced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provided temporary relief to young immigrants. However, it faced numerous legal challenges and its future remains uncertain.

During his 2016 campaign, Trump promised to end the H-1B visa program, claiming it was being abused by companies to hire cheap foreign labour at the expense of American workers. This promise was popular among certain voter bases but caused significant concern among tech companies and international students who rely on these visas to work in the US after graduation. Despite his tough stance, the H-1B program remains largely unchanged, highlighting the complexities and political manoeuvring involved in immigration reform.

Student Reactions

The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from students. Many are hopeful but cautious, having seen similar promises fail in the past. A student from Delhi, studying computer science, expressed optimism: "If this happens, it would be amazing. It would remove so much uncertainty about our future here." Conversely, another student from Warangal in engineering said, "We’ve heard such promises before. I’ll believe it when I see it."

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If implemented, this policy could make the US an even more attractive destination for international students, who contribute significantly to the US economy through tuition fees and living expenses. Countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK, which also compete for international students, might feel the pressure to offer similar incentives to remain competitive.

Visa Troubles

One of the significant hurdles for international students is the high rejection rate of US student visas. In the United States, F-1 visa refusal rates have reached record levels, significantly impacting international students' aspirations. In 2023, the refusal rate surged to 36 per cent, resulting in 253,355 international students being denied the opportunity to study in the US. This marks a notable increase from 2022 and is almost double the refusal rate for other visa types, according to ICEF Monitor. This trend underscores the growing difficulty international students face in securing a visa, adding substantial stress and uncertainty to their plans to pursue higher education in the United States.

The promise of a Green Card is enticing, but the initial hurdle of obtaining a student visa remains a significant barrier. This juxtaposition raises questions about the feasibility and sincerity of Trump’s proposal.

With the upcoming elections, it's essential to consider whether this proposal is a genuine policy shift or merely a tactic to attract votes. Trump's history of bold, often unfulfilled promises adds to the skepticism. His new stance on Green Cards for graduates could be seen as an attempt to broaden his appeal and win over international student communities and their families. For now, students and educational institutions can only wait and hope for a clearer, more consistent approach to immigration reform.

The author is Founder Director, Global Tree Careers