08/02/2017
“It has not been fair to our people, to our citizens, to our workers,” Trump said as he endorsed legislation to curb legal immigration. This proposal “will reduce poverty, increase wages and save taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,” said Trump.
The proposed legislation would reshape legal immigration to the US, cutting annual admissions in half and prioritizing education and skills rather than family ties in deciding who can enter the country. For decades, the US immigration system has prioritized family ties, believing they are important to social integration and economic success.
Flanked by Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia, Trump endorsed the bill they co-authored which would reduce the number of family members American citizens and legal residents can bring into the country and favor English-speaking and skilled workers. “This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration system that puts their needs first and that puts America first,” he said.
Called the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act or RAISE Act, the bill is modeled after Canadian and Australian immigration policies. The bill proposes a point system, whereby those seeking entry would be receive a score based on education or skills they posses. They higher their education or skill level, the greater chance they have of receiving a green card. Those applicants with little education or skills would have a lesser chance to immigrate. Applicants would also be required to speak English before entering the country.
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