Trump Unveils Bold Immigration Plan What It Means for India and Indian Students

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential election approaches, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are vigorously campaigning for victory. Trump, confident about his chances, has expressed his strong support for the Indian-American community, highlighting the significant votes he received from Indians in the previous election.

In a recent interview with the Hindi newspaper Dainik Bhaskar, Trump outlined his plans for India if re-elected. He emphasized his longstanding relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised India’s progress under his leadership. Trump expressed excitement about collaborating with Modi in a potential second term, asserting that no other U.S. President would be a better friend to India.

A major concern in Trump’s immigration plan is the potential increase in difficulties for immigrants and foreign students. Trump advocates for a “merit-based immigration” system, which prioritizes highly educated individuals and those with specialized skills. This could mean stricter visa rules and a reduction in visas for family members or employment-based immigration.

Despite his tough stance on illegal immigration, Trump has a different approach when it comes to legal immigrants from India. He has voiced support for making it easier for Indian and other foreign students who graduate from U.S. institutions to obtain green cards. Trump argues that graduates from prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT who return to their home countries represent a loss for the U.S. economy.

To address this issue, Trump proposes a new scheme to automatically grant green cards to foreign students upon graduation. This initiative aims to retain talented individuals and skilled workers, ensuring they have the opportunity to settle permanently in the U.S. Trump believes this policy will not only benefit Indian students but will also contribute positively to the American workforce without displacing current U.S. workers.

In summary, Trump’s immigration plan highlights a dual approach: a stringent policy for illegal immigration and a more welcoming stance for legal immigrants, particularly those from India.