No more J1 visas! Donald Trump has vowed to END the programme

He's undeniably running a controversial campaign – and US presidential candidate Donald Trump raised eyebrows again today when it was revealed that he plans to eliminate J1 visas.

In a policy paper on immigration and published today on his official website, the billionaire Republican specified that he'd rather replace the popular programme with "a resume bank for inner city youth".

In short – he wants to help US-born young people rather than invite over Irish students.

Mr Trump is himself the son and grandson of Scottish and German immigrants and recently caused outrage when he called Mexicans "rapists" and criminals. He subsequently refused to retract his remarks.

He has extended his lead in the 2016 Republican nomination race and now boasts 24 percent support, according to official polls.

Some 8,000 Irish applications were processed this year by the US Embassy for the summer work programme.

Indeed, Ireland sends more students to the US on the J1 visa than any other country in the world.

The visa allows young people to work and live legally in the US for up for four months.