“My immigration policy is indeed very tough; nevertheless, I think it can continue that way,” admitted U.S. President Donald Trump after his party’s defeat in the midterm elections.
He also noted that he is prepared to work with the opposition Democratic Party in the coming years.
After being sworn in for a second term as U.S. president, Trump took a series of bold measures in the name of America’s growth. He imposed reciprocal additional tariffs on more than 60 countries, including India, which levies high tariffs on American goods; imposed additional tariffs on countries that purchase large quantities of crude oil from Russia, which is waging war on Ukraine; and tightened immigration policy, among other measures.
Students coming to the United States on a non-immigrant ‘F’ visa and visitors coming on a ‘J’ visa will be permitted to stay in the United States for the duration of their course of study or program. However, this was modified so that this time limit should not exceed 4 years.
Moreover, the 60-day grace period that was previously granted to holders of ‘F’ entry visas, after completing their studies, to leave the respective educational institution or transfer to another educational institution and change their immigration status, has been reduced to 30 days under the new rule. Later, this 30-day period was also completely abolished.
Journalists entering on an ‘I’ category visa were allowed to stay for a maximum of 240 days, while for Chinese journalists this time limit was set at 90 days. The procedures for obtaining a ‘green card’ for permanent residency in the United States were also tightened. As a result, Indian technology workers and Indians going to the United States for higher education have been severely affected.
Major defeat: In this situation, Trump’s ruling Republican Party suffered a major setback in the midterm elections held in the United States on the 3rd of last month. The opposition Democratic Party won in more seats and secured a majority in both houses of the U.S. Congress. As a result, the Trump administration is facing difficulties in passing bills as it wishes.
Trump’s acknowledgment: Regarding this, Trump responded to a question about immigration policy at a press conference held in Washington on Friday night. The video of this press conference was released on Sunday. In it, Trump said:
My immigration policy is indeed very tough; nevertheless, I think it can remain that way. I am also prepared to work with the Democratic Party in the years ahead.
The midterm election defeat may have been caused by factors including the war on Iran and the rise in gas prices it triggered. The growing hostility among the American people toward Israel may also have been a factor. The American people do not like war. Even though prices were kept under control, they did not like the rise in gasoline prices either.
As for immigration restrictions, I think they had both a positive and a negative impact on the vote.
I got an ‘A plus’ rating for closing the borders. I also got very high marks for expelling the bad people. At the same time, expelling foreigners who worked in large companies has affected us. The only rule they broke was entering the country illegally. I think this action was very difficult, he said.
Further, Trump, who again mentioned that he had prevented a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, said, ‘I settled 8 wars globally. In particular, the war between India and Pakistan would have turned into a nuclear war. Before it even started, I settled that war,’ he said.
I will go to heaven: In response to the question of what he thinks will happen after his death, Trump said, “I think my absence will be felt as a loss. I am a religious believer; I believe I will go to heaven.”