Donald Trump plans to scrap J-1 programme if elected

US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has indicated that he would end the popular J-1 work visa programme if elected.

The aspiring Republican candidate, whose aggressive attitude to immigration reform has been a cornerstone of his candidacy, outlined his policies in a campaign document released on his website last weekend.

According to the release, a Trump presidency would see the J-1 programme “terminated”. In its place, Trump has proposed “a resume bank for inner city youth provided to all corporate subscribers to the J-1 visa program”.

J-1 visas allow recipients to work or study in the US for a designated period of time.

Almost 300,000 people participated in the J-1 visa programme in 2014, including just over 8,000 students from Ireland in the J-1 Summer Work Travel programme.

The H-1B work visa, which allows firms to hire foreign workers in technology, science and related fields, is also a target for reform by Mr Trump.

As part of a plan to “put American workers first”, this programme will be subject to restrictions that mandate US citizens get first preference for jobs.

Mr Trump also wants corporations to pay higher wages to foreign workers in a bid to make domestic workers more attractive to employ.

The document also picks up on Mr Trump’s recurring call for a wall to be erected on the US-Mexico border, as well as stricter penalties for violating visa conditions or entering the country illegally, and an end to birthright citizenship, which gives the children born on US soil a right to citizenship regardless of their parents’ status.

Mr Trump is currently the highest polling candidate in the race to be the Republican Party nominee for the 2016 presidential election.