Right Now, 'Merit-Based' Just Means Fewer Immigrants

Swim19 · 02-12-2018, 10:50 PM

Quote:

When the Trump administration says it wants “merit-based immigration” it’s not talking about admitting 1 million scientists and engineers, or even any additional immigrants with college degrees. In fact, in the past year, the Trump administration has not taken a single action to make it easier for U.S. employers to hire or retain high-skilled foreign nationals. No, “merit-based” is a code phrase for reducing legal immigration by up to 50% and eliminating almost all family immigration categories and the Diversity Visa lottery.

Under current law, U.S. citizens can sponsor their spouses, parents, siblings or children for immigration. Under a White House public relations blitz designed to eliminate the ability of Americans to sponsor their parents, siblings or children (18 years or older), the president and his surrogates have labeled as “extended family members” people who normal human beings all consider part of their regular family. Does anyone in America actually regard their mother or father as an extended family member? Do decent, moral people consider their sons or daughters to be “distant relatives” once they reach the age of 18?

Quote:

Even if the Senate makes small adjustments to the White House proposal it would still lead to millions of fewer legal immigrants entering the U.S. than under current law, particularly after any backlog is drained of existing applications as a prelude to ending the categories. The White House plan provides for no appreciable increase in employment-based immigration and would eliminate the ability of many family-based immigrants who possess high levels of skill to come to America.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuarta.../#1f4e5a9d8e84

I made this point before in another thread. There is nothing in the WH proposal that helps move us toward a merit based system. Instead it cuts the family based immigration with no merit based replacement.

Smooth · 02-12-2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swim19

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuarta.../#1f4e5a9d8e84

I made this point before in another thread. There is nothing in the WH proposal that helps move us toward a merit based system. Instead it cuts the family based immigration with no merit based replacement.

I saw Tills' floor speech today. Correct me if I am wrong; the Senate so far can reach a deal on 3/4 Trump's pillars. The only pillar causing issues is chain migration.

I thought we were all more concerned about our families getting deported. Democrats are willing to cave on $25 billion for flexible use on border security, but chain migration is the sticking point. This is absolutely stupid.

JayR9 · 02-12-2018, 11:18 PM

chain migration outside of limiting it to dreamer is a definite no deal.

Smooth · 02-12-2018, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayR9

chain migration outside of limiting it to dreamer is a definite no deal.

You do understand that Democrats really do not have any absolute leverage to get a more narrow bill, right? If a more narrow deal is struck, it's because the GOP decided to do that. Your bets on that?

ceaguila · 02-12-2018, 11:26 PM

Flake looks to meet Trump in the middle on immigration

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...reamers-407241

Swim19 · 02-12-2018, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth

I saw Tills' floor speech today. Correct me if I am wrong; the Senate so far can reach a deal on 3/4 Trump's pillars. The only pillar causing issues is chain migration.

I thought we were all more concerned about our families getting deported. Democrats are willing to cave on $25 billion for flexible use on border security, but chain migration is the sticking point. This is absolutely stupid.

I don't understand the point you are trying to make. The GOP wants to limit family based migration in favor of merit based - without actually implementing a merit based system.

Smooth · 02-12-2018, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swim19

I don't understand the point you are trying to make. The GOP wants to limit family based migration in favor of merit based - without actually implementing a merit based system.

So that concerns you more than border security (i.e. $25 billion for DHS to do what it wants?) I am amazed chain migration has become more of an issue for you and others when we were more concerned about agents coming after our parents.

Smooth · 02-12-2018, 11:36 PM

Anyway, no point in arguing with you. My two cents Democrats will cave on chain migration. According to Tillis, the Senate already agrees on 3/4 pillars.

ECW · 02-12-2018, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceaguila

Flake looks to meet Trump in the middle on immigration

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...reamers-407241

Quote:

Flake is also readying a fallback plan if nothing major can pass the Senate that would provide some border funding while protecting people enrolled in the DACA program from deportation for three years.

Again, can y'all smell what's coming our way. Like it or not.

Swim19 · 02-12-2018, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth

So that concerns you more than border security (i.e. $25 billion for DHS to do what it wants?) I am amazed chain migration has become more of an issue for you and others when we were more concerned about agents coming after our parents.

Where did I say it concerns me more? I was only pointing out that the GOP has no plan to move to merit based. It's a statement and nothing more.

Forum links

Right Now, 'Merit-Based' Just Means Fewer Immigrants