Trump has announced plans to offer green cards to foreign graduates of American universities.

Former US President Donald Trump has proposed granting automatic green cards to foreign graduates of American colleges if he is re-elected, a surprising shift from his typically hardline stance on immigration.

During a podcast interview with Silicon Valley tech investors, Trump pledged to simplify the process of bringing talent to the US, advocating for all graduates of US colleges, including those from top-tier institutions like Harvard and MIT as well as lesser-known schools, to receive a green card upon graduation.

Trump's proposal, which would potentially lead to hundreds of thousands of new citizenship applications annually, represents a significant departure from his previous stringent immigration policies that contributed to his popularity within the Republican Party.

Despite his past criticisms of immigration and promises of tough measures, such as large-scale deportations of undocumented migrants, Trump acknowledged the loss of talented individuals when graduates return to their home countries due to current immigration restrictions.

He also criticized recent immigration policies proposed by his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden, arguing against amnesty and emphasizing the need to address what he described as an "invasion" of the country.

While Trump's administration had focused on reducing both legal and undocumented immigration during his presidency, including significant cuts in green cards and immigrant visas, he attributed some of these reductions to pandemic-related restrictions.

During the podcast, Trump highlighted instances where graduates, unable to remain in the US, went on to achieve substantial success abroad, suggesting missed opportunities for innovation and economic growth within the United States.