President Trump to unveil new immigration plan in speech Thursday

President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new immigration plan in a speech Thursday afternoon, the latest attempt by the administration to follow through on a campaign promise to overhaul America's immigration system.



A senior administration official told reporters on Wednesday that the proposal, which is being pitched to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, is aimed at allowing more high-skilled workers entry into the United States and modernizing ports of entry. But while the plan does try to curb illegal immigration by building more wall and modernizing ports of entry, it does not tackle the issue of undocumented immigrants already in the United States.

"I don't think most countries are giving us their finest. Do you agree? And that's what's happening and it's causing tremendous problems with crimes," the president said on Capitol Hill at the Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on Wednesday. The president went on to claim that the influx of undocumented immigrants has caused a spike in crime, recent studies have shown no link between communities with increased undocumented immigrant populations and crime.


The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the plan has six main goals: "to fully secure the border," "protect American wages," "attract and retain the best and brightest," "unify families," "get labor in critical industries," and finally to "preserve our humanitarian values as a country."

The "Trump Immigration Plan," as described by officials, would prioritize visas for applicants with extraordinary talent, professional and specialized vocations, and exceptional students.

Legal immigration numbers would remain the same with 1.1 million green cards, according to the official, who said the administration studied merit-based systems in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore. Using points, the plan would change the makeup of American migrants – although the administration said, without evidence, it would increase overall diversity.

In 2017, over 1 million lawful permanent residents are admitted to the United States, with almost two-thirds gaining entry through family-based migration and less than 10 percent gaining entry via their employment.

It does not discuss what to do with temporary workers and it does not handle finding a pathway to citizenship for the so-called "DREAMers" or those temporarily covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, an ongoing priority for Democrats and swing-state Republicans.

On Tuesday, the president's son in law and architect of the plan Jared Kushner presented the framework at the Senate Policy Luncheon. It was met by some skepticism and confusion on Capitol Hill, although a senior administration official described the feedback and response as "fabulous."


"I am concerned about the fate of the DACA young people, and they cannot be excluded from any immigration package," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said following Kushner's meeting.



A senior administration official said the main goal of the immigration policy rollout is to lay out the president's priorities and try to gain Republican consensus.

"One of my favorite quotes is in Alice in Wonderland, where the Cheshire Cat says ‘if you don't know where you're going it doesn't matter which path you take' I think often in Washington people try to jump into debates without having a defined thoughtful proposal of what they think is achievable," a senior administration official said. "What we tried to do is pick the places where we can unite. And the president's trying to lead on that."



https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pres...ry?id=63056289

@markknoller
31s32 seconds ago
More
At WH driveway gaggle, @PressSec says DACA progeram "was left out on purpose" from the new immigration plan. She said it's too divisive and everytime it's included, it fails in Congress. And she says the new plan is intended as legislation, not just talkinb points.

@StevenTDennis
Follow Follow @StevenTDennis
More
There are no Democratic votes right now for the Kushner plan, though there is interest in negotiating a deal with DACA and other things atached. Collins has already said any plan must include DACA, which makes her a no on the plan as is.


@kathrynw5
2m2 minutes ago
More
No timeline, no confirmed conversations with Democrats, no DACA and no proposal on temporary work visas, but the president is presenting "his thoughts" on reshaping immigration today at 2:30 p.m.

Alright Tromp, let us hear your won't pass bill.

Eywa has already willed it that your bill of evil that attempts to feebly swipe at american freedoms is destined for the shredder.

Go ahead add TPS instant citizenship for all the success this bill will have.

Make a moon base too.

Shit why not add all of your campaign promises in one mega, fuck you all, bill.

The TROMP MEGA fuck you all bill of 2020: Keeping MAH promises.

Pointless, neither side is willing to compromise. This political game is getting old.

Trump, the Republican Party, and the Democratic Party are the real enemy of the Dreamer community.

@ChadPergram
Following Following @ChadPergram
More
Pelosi says she did speak with President Trump of late about DACA. She says he has said he wanted to address that issue. She says the House will soon consider DACA/DREAMer legislation soon



@aabramson
7m7 minutes ago
More
Pelosi says dems will have their own legislation RE DACA which is separate from the GOP proposal



@RebeccaRKaplan
9m9 minutes ago
More
Pelosi also offered to give Trump the benefit of the doubt on not including DACA or any dreamer protections in his immigration plans. Promises to pass the DREAM act in the House. Both sides making efforts to seem reasonable.

Soon™

Too divisive? This plan doesn't even have 50 votes. Who are they trying to fool?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaLeeKW9Hd0

trump live

"She said it's too divisive and everytime it's included, it fails in Congress."

Lmao we so fucked. Flat out they are saying that everything will fail.