For foreigners, obtaining a US green card continues to be the most coveted—yet most elusive—dream.
Donald Trump made a big promise in a recent ‘All-In’ podcast interview: Green cards would be granted automatically to foreign students who graduate from American institutions.
Saurabh Arora, CEO & Founder of University Living, says, “Trump’s proposal to grant automatic Green Cards to foreign students graduating from U.S. colleges could potentially reshape higher education dynamics, particularly for Indian students.
According to NAFSA Association of International Educators, nearly one million international students attended US colleges and universities in 2022-23.
The US Congress has imposed global yearly restrictions of 226,000 for family-sponsored preference Green Cards and 140,000 for employment-based Green Cards, with a per-country cap complicating matters further.
For foreigners, obtaining a US green card continues to be the most coveted—yet most elusive—dream. One of the many techniques used by US politicians in the run-up to the November elections is wooing the country’s immigrant population with the lure of the American Green Card. Former US President Donald Trump appears to have ‘pulled a rabbit out of a hat’.
Donald Trump made a big promise in a recent ‘All-In’ podcast interview: Green cards would be granted automatically to foreign students who graduate from American institutions. A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the United States as proof that the bearer has been granted the right to permanently reside in America.
Saurabh Arora, CEO & Founder of University Living, says, “Trump’s proposal to grant automatic Green Cards to foreign students graduating from U.S. colleges could potentially reshape higher education dynamics, particularly for Indian students. If implemented, this policy might influence their educational choices and aspirations.”
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Handing over a US Green Card to every graduate will be a monumental task. According to NAFSA Association of International Educators, nearly one million international students attended US colleges and universities in 2022-23.
The US Congress has imposed global yearly restrictions of 226,000 for family-sponsored preference Green Cards and 140,000 for employment-based Green Cards, with a per-country cap complicating matters further.
The Permanent Resident Card, which offers permission for permanent residency in the United States, remains elusive for many foreigners, as the waiting period for obtaining a green card can be several years in many circumstances. Indian immigrants’ Green Card waiting periods could exceed 20 years and sometimes over 70 years.
Donald Trump’s automatic Green Cards for foreign graduates could significantly boost the U.S. higher education sector, attracting international students and requiring infrastructure improvements in courses, accommodation, and job opportunities.
Arora added, “The prospect of an automatic Green Card could lead to a significant increase in the number of Indian students considering education opportunities in the U.S. This anticipated influx could impact academic institutions and the broader ecosystem supporting student life, including student housing, healthcare, and career services. Ensuring accessible, safe, and affordable accommodation would be crucial to supporting their academic journey and overall experience in the U.S., both during and after their studies.”
NAFSA report stated that in 2022-23, international students contributed $40.1 billion to the US economy and supported more than 368,000 jobs, a 9.8 percent increase compared to the previous year, contributing significantly to the American workforce and underscoring their critical role in the essential industries.
If such a promise turns into a reality, it has the potential to significantly transform the global education industry. The United States is already a popular destination for international students, with the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand following closely after.
Aritra Ghoshal, Founder and Director of OneStep Global, says, “The United States’ appeal is driven by its academic excellence, rich cultural diversity, and wide range of academic options. The promise of automatic green cards upon graduation, in addition to these existing benefits, would considerably enhance this appeal, potentially shifting preferences away from other popular destinations back to the United States.
This policy could rejuvenate the American higher education market despite ongoing student safety concerns and visa policy changes. It has the potential to substantially increase international student enrollment, benefiting the nation both economically and culturally by ensuring a steady influx of talented individuals who contribute to the economy while fostering a more dynamic and diverse academic environment.”
It is anticipated that students will be more interested in studying in the US as their dreams of attending college, starting a career, and becoming citizens of the United States of America may come true, if the Trump’s green card promise actually becomes a law.
Manisha Zaveri, Joint Managing Director of Career Mosaic, says, “The promise of granting automatic Green Cards to foreign graduates from U.S. colleges could significantly transform the higher education landscape, especially for Indian students. We anticipate a surge in applications from Indian students in 2024-25, most likely owing to recent statements made by Donald Trump.
Such a policy would address recent uncertainties surrounding work visas, reinforcing the value of a U.S. education. This announcement is expected to generate a significant increase in inquiries from Indian students, reflecting growing interest and optimism regarding smoother post-study employment pathways. In STEM-designated degrees and subsequent careers, there seems to be a ray of sunshine coming up on the horizon!
Streamlining the post-study work permit could lead to higher enrollment rates from India, as students feel more secure in their investment in U.S. education, knowing that complexities around work visas are likely to be diminished.
