US may prefer skilled immigrants among green card applicants in the new system

• Donald Trump is all set to propose a new immigration system that would favour people with high skills and qualifications, for a green card.
  
• If approved, it would replace the current system of a family-based approach.
  
• As of now, 66% of the immigrants living in the US were issued a green card on the basis of their family ties whereas only 12% of the immigrants were given green cards because of their skills.
  

US President Donald Trump is gearing up to announce a new immigration system which will end the family-based approach of giving permanent residency to foreigners. The new system will consider merit and qualification of applicants, instead.

As of now, 66% of immigrants in the US were issued a green card on the basis of their family ties, whereas only 12% of the immigrants were preferred for their skills. The move can be a huge relief to thousands of Indian professionals waiting for a green card.

A revamp

This change is the brainchild of Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner. He seeks to revamp the country’s system of permanent legal residency and boost border security.

This new system, however, will make no difference to the total number of immigrants in the country, nor will it address the problem of the millions of illegal immigrants.

Trump is expected to announce the plan at the Rose Garden of the White House on Thursday afternoon. The plan also calls for new infrastructure at ports of entry to speed up commerce, while cracking down on drug and human trafficking.

Extraordinary Talent

After this change, US will join countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, which use a point based system. The plan will favour immigrants who are exceptional students, those with "extraordinary talent" and people in "professional and specialised vocations".

Visa applicants would receive points for age, English proficiency and offers of employment at a certain wage threshold; to protect low-wage American workers.

The plan drew immediate criticism from immigrants activists and Democrats who continue to doubt Trump’s proposal owing to previous failures. However, the White House has touted its proposal as a serious legislative effort aimed at breaking a long stalemate over immigration.

(With IANS)