WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — In a significant policy declaration, former President Donald Trump proposed granting green cards to noncitizen college graduates from American universities. Speaking on the “All In” podcast, Trump highlighted the importance of retaining top talent educated in the U.S., arguing these individuals could contribute substantially to the nation’s economy and innovation landscape. 

“We want these people to stay here and work for our country, not the competition,” Trump stated. “They go back to India. They go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multi-billionaires, employing thousands and thousands of people and it could have been done here.”

Trump’s plan specifically targets graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, aligning with efforts to strengthen America’s competitive edge in these critical areas. 

The former President’s statement has meaningful implications to the Indian American community, as there are hundreds of thousands of highly qualified immigrants that are stuck in green card backlogs that are estimated to take decades to clear.

Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the former president’s proposal would apply to “the most skilled graduates” who are “the most thoroughly vetted.”

Trump’s remarks are in contrast to statements he made earlier this year that he plans to carry out “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history” if elected back into office, in reference to the millions of migrants who have entered America by crossing the border illegally.  

The Biden campaign responded to Trump’s comments, saying the former president is making an “empty promise.” 

“Trump’s empty promise is both a lie and an insult, especially to the countless people that have been permanently damaged by his first-term in office,” Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said. 

Immigration advocates note H-1B visa denial rates skyrocketed under Trump, with the H1B denial rate going up to almost 37% from around 3%.