By Rawaid Hussain Siddiqui
Co-Founder of AGS WELT Group, PhD Scholar, Master of Laws (LLM) in Immigration Law, and Master in Diplomacy and International Relations.
In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the November 5th presidential election, many current and prospective immigrants have expressed concerns about the future of immigration policies. However, skilled migrants have compelling reasons to remain optimistic. This piece aims to highlight the potential benefits and opportunities that skilled migrants may experience under Trump’s upcoming second term.
Emphasis on Merit-Based Immigration
One of the most significant aspects of Trump’s immigration vision, as reiterated during his campaign, is the shift towards a merit-based system. In his previous term, Trump proposed increasing the proportion of highly skilled immigration from 12% to 57%, stating, “We’d like to even see if we can go higher”. This approach aligns with the interests of many U.S. businesses seeking top global talent and could potentially benefit highly skilled workers.
During his victory speech, Trump emphasized, “We discriminate against genius. We discriminate against brilliance. We won’t anymore, once we get this passed”. This statement underscores a renewed commitment to attracting and retaining the best and brightest from around the world, which bodes well for skilled migrants.
Green Cards for International Graduates
In a significant policy shift, Trump has proposed automatically granting green cards to foreign nationals who graduate from U.S. colleges. “What I want to do, and what I will do, is you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” Trump stated in a recent interview. This proposal extends to graduates from two-year, four-year, and doctoral programs, potentially it will open up new opportunities for international students to remain and contribute to the U.S. economy after completing their studies. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is not happening anytime soon.
Balancing Ideals with Economic Reality
Despite tough rhetoric on immigration, Trump’s campaign has shown an understanding of the vital role skilled immigrants play in driving innovation and economic growth. In a recent rally, Trump stated, “Companies are moving offices to other countries because our immigration rules prevent them from retaining highly skilled and even, if I might, totally brilliant people”. This recognition of the economic value of skilled migrants suggests a pragmatic approach to immigration policy in his upcoming term.
Support for Legal Immigration
Throughout his campaign, Trump consistently expressed support for legal immigration, stating, “We want immigrants coming in. We cherish the open door that we want to create for our country, but a big proportion of those immigrants must come in through merit and skill”. This stance indicates a welcoming attitude towards skilled migrants who enter the country through proper channels.
Bipartisan Support for High-Skilled Immigration
Recent surveys conducted during the election campaign show that admitting more high-skilled immigrants is favored by both Trump supporters (71%) and supporters of other candidates (87%). This bipartisan support suggests that policies benefiting skilled migrants are likely to find broad acceptance in the new administration.
Focus on Border Security
While Trump’s immigration policies often emphasize border security, this focus is primarily directed at illegal immigration rather than legal, skilled migration. In his post-election press conference, Trump stated, “Our proposal is pro-American, pro-immigrant, and pro-worker. It’s just common sense”. This approach suggests that skilled migrants entering the country legally should not be overly concerned.
Conclusion
As Trump prepares to begin his second term in January 2025, skilled migrants have reasons to be optimistic. The emphasis on merit-based immigration, recognition of the economic contributions of skilled workers, and bipartisan support for high-skilled immigration all point to a potentially favorable environment for skilled migrants.
It is important to note that the primary focus of Trump’s immigration rhetoric during the campaign has been on undocumented immigration rather than legal, skilled migration. As Trump himself stated in his victory speech, “The millions of legal immigrants who have come to America over the past half century are now cherished members of our national family”.
Skilled migrants should stay informed about policy developments but can approach the future with cautious optimism. The United States continues to value the contributions of talented individuals from around the world, and this fundamental aspect of American society and economy is likely to persist under the new administration.
If readers are interested in options in the European Union, Germany can be an option for you as well. Look into the German Chancenkarte https://chancenkarte.info/ initiative for skilled immigration.
