[CBS] President Trump floated a "potential path to citizenship" for H1-B visa holders in an early Friday morning tweet, as the partial government shutdown is set to become the longest shutdown on record. It's unclear what Mr. Trump meant exactly, as simplifying a path to citizenship for such visa holders would almost certainly require approval from Congress, and the White House has made no such suggestion in its latest border security funding proposal, or any other public offer.
"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," Mr. Trump tweeted. "We want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S."
The H-1B visa, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, lets U.S. employers temporarily employ foreign workers with at least a bachelor's degree for speciality occupations. H-1B visa holders can apply for a green card to obtain permanent residency ‐ but even a green card does not equate to citizenship.
Mr. Trump has expressed openness to a broader immigration overhaul, but has insisted that he first wants funding for a concrete or steel wall or barrier, along with funding for technology and personnel to handle the situation at the border. It's unclear what prompted Mr. Trump's tweet.