Trump to H-1B visa holders: ‘Path to citizenship’ could be coming soon

President Trump on Friday indicated plans to change policies for visa holders, tweeting that a “path to citizenship” for H-1B holders was potentially possible under his administration.

In a tweet posted as the president returned from his trip the day before to the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump declared that the U.S. desires to see “talented and highly skilled people” immigrate to the U.S. and pursue careers.

{mosads}”H1-B [sic] holders in the United States can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship,” Trump said.

“We want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S.,” he continued.

H1-B holders in the United States can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship. We want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2019

The H-1B system, which allows U.S. companies to hire temporary foreign workers to fill needs not met by the U.S. workforce, is not intended as a permanent path to citizenship for immigrants coming to the United States.

Immigration reform has been a centerpiece of the Trump administration.

The president has battled Democrats in Congress for weeks over his proposed border wall. He has demanded $5.7 billion to construct the wall, and the federal government has been partially shut down for weeks over his demands. Democrats have offered $1.3 billion in funding for border security measures.

The partial shutdown, which affects about a quarter of the federal government, reached its 21st day on Friday, with no end in sight.