Trump's plan to cut legal immigration to the US

The Trump-backed RAISE bill could halve legal immigration to the US over the next 10 years.

US President Trump. Photo: Reuters.

US President Trump earlier this week supported the RAISE bill to reduce the number of legal immigrants to the US by 50% over 10 years, arguing that the current immigration system is outdated and affects American workers.

However, observers say this bill will be difficult to pass quickly and will face opposition from Democratic and Republican members of Congress because its content remains controversial, according to the BBC.

Cut green cards in half

A Green Card is the common name for a Permanent Resident Card, which allows foreigners over 18 years of age to live and work legally in the United States. The United States issues green cards to more than one million people each year.

Under the RAISE bill, the number of people who receive green cards would be cut in half, with 500,000 green cards issued each year.

Changes to green card evaluation criteria

The US issues 140,000 green cardseach year for subjects meeting the criteriaemployment. Foreigners who excel in the fields of science and sports, managers of multinational companies or outstanding researchers are among the priority subjects.top priority in the green card approval process.

This assessment will change to a points-based system that considers factors including education, age and future salary, similar to the system used in Canada and Australia.

Mr. Trump said the system would prioritize people who speak English, can financially support themselves and their families, and have skills that can contribute to the US economy.

For example, PhD.Graduates in the US will get 13 points, while those withhigh school diploma only one point. NYoung people are rated on a scale of 2 to 10 points, andPeople over 50 will not get points.

People whose jobs pay three times the median wage in the state they live in get 13 points, while thoseA $1.8 million investment in a US business is worth 12 points. A Nobel Prize winner is awarded 25 points, while an Olympic medalist gets 15 points.

English proficiency will be assessed by a test.Candidates must score at least 30 points to be considered for a green card.

No subsidies for new immigrants

For five years, new green card holders will lose access to benefits for the poor and low-income people, including: food stamps, supplemental security income, health insurance for the poor, temporary assistance for needy families and state health insurance for children.

Restricting family-based immigration

People with family members living legally in the US currently get priority for green cards, but the RAISE bill would remove this priority for adult children of legal immigrants.Their spouse or children under 18 will still receive priority.

If a US immigrant has a sick parent, the parent is allowed to enter the US on a renewable 5-year visa, as long as the immigrant promises to be financially responsible for them.

Eliminate the diversity visa program

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program was initiated more than two decades ago at the request of the US Congress. It randomly selects green card applicants from countries that have had low rates of immigration to the US over the previous five years.

Millions of people apply for this "lottery"-style visa program each year, and 50,000 are selected.To be eligible to apply, participants must have completed high school and be employed. However, dThe RAISE Act would eliminate the program entirely.

Reduce the number of refugees

Before leaving office, former President Barack Obama pledged he would accept 110,000 refugees a year, but dThe RAISE Act wants that number to drop to 50,000.

RAISE has support from activist groups that want to limit immigration. It could also appeal to staunch anti-immigration Republican voters.

"This is a big promise from President Trump to the American people," said White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, emphasizing that the bill aims to "protect American workers, taxpayers, and the American economy."

Meanwhile, the bill has also received criticism. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said that "Trump wants to tear apart communities and punish immigrant families who contribute greatly to our economy."

According to VNE