Trump endorses new GOP immigration bill

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump applauded on Wednesday a new Republican immigration bill aimed at slashing legal immigration levels over the next decade. “This would be the most significant reform to the immigration system in half a century,” said Trump, with bill sponsors Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia by his side in Roosevelt Room of the White House. “It is a historic and very vital proposal.” Cotton and Perdue first drafted the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act in February. On Wednesday they discussed a new version of the bill with the president at the White House. The measure aims to cut legal immigration in half—from 1 million to 500,000 by 2027, using a merit-based system. The current model largely grants entry to immigrants through family ties. The bill, if signed into law, would create an immigration system favoring those who are educated, speak English, and have substantive job offers in the United States. By reducing the number of low-skilled laborers entering the country, the bill’s supporters claim taxpayers would save millions. Roughly 50 percent of immigrant households in the United States receive welfare benefits.