In a major move on the issue of immigration, President Donald Trump has expressed his support for legislation seeking to introduce a new points-based system for new legal permanent residents, and effectively reduce immigration by half in a decade.
Unveiling the new new measure – named as RAISE Act – along with two sponsoring senators at the White House, Trump noted that the competitive application process will favor applicants who can speak English, financially support themselves and their families, and demonstrate skills that will contribute to the United States economy.
Experts says if enacted, the new system of admitting only skilled legal permanent resisdients in place of regular workforce, could be far-reaching in many ways with both prospects and challenges for the U.S. economy.
The proposed legislation has drafted by Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue and reflects candidate Trump’s pledge to bring a new merit-based immigration system that in the president’s words protects U.S. workers and taxpayers.
“The RAISE Act will reduce poverty, increase wages, and save taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,” Trump said.
“For decades, the United States was operated and has operated a very low-skilled immigration system, issuing record numbers of Green Cards to low-wage immigrants. This policy has placed substantial pressure on American workers, taxpayers and community resources.
Among those hit the hardest in recent years have been immigrants and, very importantly, minority workers competing for jobs against brand-new arrivals. And it has not been fair to our people, to our citizens, to our workers,” the president added.
The RAISE Act, the president says, will also prevent new migrants and new immigrants from collecting welfare, and protects U.S. workers from being displaced.
“And that’s a very big thing. They’re not going to come in and just immediately go and collect welfare. That doesn’t happen under the RAISE Act. They can’t do that. Crucially, the Green Card reforms in the RAISE Act will give American workers a pay raise by reducing unskilled immigration.”
Besides, Trump said this legislation will “not only restore our competitive edge in the 21st century, but it will restore the sacred bonds of trust between America and its citizens.
“This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration system that puts their needs first and that puts America first.
“Finally, the reforms in the RAISE Act will help ensure that newcomers to our wonderful country will be assimilated, will succeed, and will achieve the American Dream.”
