Trump issues immigration policy demands

US President Donald Trump has presented congressional leaders with a list of hard-line immigration policy proposals along with ideas for legal immigration reform.

The President has stated that all these proposals must be enacted in exchange for a deal with Democrats to protect hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

Among the listed proposals are plans for the construction of the controversial wall along the US – Mexico border (something Democrats are strongly against and have already said is not up for debate) and speeding up deportation of visa overstayers.

However, the proposals also look at legal immigration reform, too. One of the most intriguing ideas listed is an overhaul of the current green-card system so that it favours high-skilled workers over those who have family ties to the US. According to the Trump administration, the current immigration system “prioritises extended family-based chain migration over skills-based immigration and does not serve the national interest.”

This would lead to the Introduction of a point-based green-card system that would prioritise highly educated workers with high-paying job offers over family members.

The diversity lottery, which is designed to welcome immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration, would also be eliminated under Trump’s plans.

Some Senior Democrats have already criticized Trump’s list, saying it went “far beyond what is reasonable” and contained no attempt at compromise.

“The Administration can’t be serious about compromise or helping the Dreamers if they begin with a list that is anathema to the Dreamers, to the immigrant community and to the vast majority of Americans,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. Article published 10th October 2017