Trump Supports Bill That Would Cut Legal Immigration by Half
This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration system
that puts their needs first and that puts America first." The bill, sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia, would reduce overall legal immigration by 41 percent in its first year and by 50 percent by its 10th year, according to projections cited by its authors.
2, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump embraced legislation on Wednesday
that would cut legal immigration to the United States in half within a decade by sharply curtailing the ability of American citizens and legal residents to bring family members into the country.
Arguing that the United States has taken in too many low-skilled immigrants for too long, Mr. Trump invited two Republican senators to the White House to put his weight behind their bill
that would judge applicants for legal residency on the basis of education, language ability and job abilities that would benefit the country.
In 2014, 64 percent of more than one million immigrants admitted with legal residency
were immediate relatives of American citizens or sponsored by family members.
But while it would still allow the spouses and minor children of Americans
and legal residents to come in, it would eliminate preference for other relatives, like siblings and adult children.
Under the current system, most legal immigrants are admitted to the United States based on family ties.