Over the past two years, Trump has reshaped the debate around high-skilled immigration. From the $100,000 H-1B fee and the Gold Card green-card route to proposals impacting F-1 students, OPT, and H-4 spouses, his comments have set the tone for sweeping policy changes.
This article brings together all statements made so far—campaign pledges, interview quotes, White House proclamations, and DHS actions—into one consolidated source.
Complete List of Trump’s Immigration Statements Since 2023
| Date | Statement | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2024 | Foreign graduates of U.S. colleges should automatically receive green cards. | Campaign – Green Card |
| 2024 (Campaign) | U.S. doesn't have enough talent → need high‑skilled immigrants (H‑1B context). | Campaign – H‑1B |
| 2024 (Campaign) | Trump: 'I've always been a believer in H‑1B… it's a great program.' | Campaign – H‑1B |
| 2023–2024 | Campaign plan for points‑based merit immigration system. | Campaign – Green Card |
| 2023–2024 | Reduce low‑skilled immigration, expand high‑skilled STEM immigration. | Campaign – Mixed |
| Feb 25, 2025 | End EB‑5 & launch Gold Card (~$5M) for green cards. | Green Card |
| Mar–Apr 2025 | Gold Card includes fast‑track citizenship for major contributors. | Green Card |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Tighter rules for employer‑sponsored green cards (EB1/EB2/EB3). | Green Card |
| Sep 19, 2025 | H‑1B program 'exploited to replace American workers.' | H‑1B |
| Sep 19, 2025 | New $100,000 mandatory fee for new H‑1B petitions. | H‑1B |
| Sep 19, 2025 | Restrictions on entry of certain H‑1B workers abroad. | H‑1B |
| Sep 20, 2025 | $100k fee applies only to new applicants, not renewals. | H‑1B |
| Sep 21, 2025 | USCIS FAQ: Fee mainly affects hires from abroad. | H‑1B |
| Sep 19–20, 2025 | Gold Card tiers: $1M (Gold) / $5M (Platinum) for residency. | Green Card |
| Oct 2025 | USCIS clarifies exemptions to the $100k fee. | H‑1B |
| Oct–Nov 2025 | Employers warn H‑1B becomes too costly. | H‑1B |
| Nov 2025 | Revived public‑charge rule increasing green‑card denials. | Green Card |
| Nov 2025 | Project Firewall: 175+ H‑1B abuse investigations. | H‑1B |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Trump: 'You don't have certain talents… you have to bring this talent.' | H‑1B |
| Nov 13, 2025 | 'Train Americans and go home' H‑1B doctrine. | H‑1B |
| Late 2025 | Plans to shift employment‑based green cards toward merit/points. | Green Card |
| Jan 3, 2025 | India says H‑1B benefits both countries. | H‑1B (Diplomatic) |
| Sep 22, 2025 | India criticizes $100k H‑1B fee as 'penalty on talent.' | H‑1B (Diplomatic) |
| Aug 27, 2025 | DHS proposes rule to end or severely limit OPT for F‑1 students, calling it a loophole that displaces American STEM graduates. | F‑1 / OPT |
| Jun 4, 2025 | Proclamation restricting certain F‑1, M‑1, J‑1 student visas at specific universities on national‑security grounds. | F‑1 / Student Visas |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Trump defends foreign students, saying many U.S. colleges would struggle or go out of business without international enrolment. | F‑1 / Student Visas |
| Sep 2025 | White House signals review of STEM OPT 36‑month extension as encouraging visa gaming. | F‑1 / OPT Extension |
| Late 2025 | USCIS reviews H‑4 EAD work authorization and explores new restrictions on H‑4 spouses of H‑1B holders. | H‑4 Dependent Visa |
| Q3 2025 | Homeland Security revives idea to shorten F‑1 'duration of status' and move to fixed‑term student visas. | F‑1 Visa |
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