Former President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 proposal to grant green cards to college graduates has stirred controversy within the MAGA base and among hard-right commentators.
Steve Bannon, a prominent MAGA podcaster and former Trump campaign manager, strongly criticized Trump’s idea, suggesting a more restrictive approach. Bannon emphasized the concept of an “exit visa” tied to diplomas, implying that graduates should return to their home countries after receiving education in the United States. He argued against the burden of sustaining international commitments and emphasized the importance of nations focusing on their own greatness.
Bannon highlighted cultural and societal ties, suggesting that while foreign students could be trained and exposed to American culture, their ultimate contribution should be to enhance their home countries. He stressed the limitations of absorbing foreign populations, drawing parallels to historical precedents like Britain’s experiences.
In contrast to Trump’s proposal, which advocates for granting automatic green cards to graduates, other figures within the MAGA movement, such as conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec, have voiced opposition to such initiatives.
