Trump to announce new immigration plan

President Donald Trump is set to announce a new immigration reform plan Thursday afternoon that would shift the United States toward a “merit-based” system while toughening border security. The plan is expected to significantly raise the educational and skill requirements for immigrants accepted into the United States, The New York Times reported based on a briefing at the White House. These requirements include more stringent expectations for English proficiency, employment, and educational attainment.

About 12 percent of immigrants to the United States are accepted based on skill, while more than half are allowed in because of family ties. This new plan would drastically move away from family-based migration policies that allow the spouses and children of immigrants to follow them to the United States.

The proposal is also expected to crack down on illegal immigration at the U.S. southern border. While specifics have not yet been released, the plan likely tightens asylum requirements and calls for more construction of border barriers.

Critics have already pointed out that aspects of the proposal will render it dead on arrival on Capitol Hill. The plan would not reduce the overall levels of immigrants coming into the United States, making it a tough sell for some Republicans. The plan also fails to include protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals participants whose parents brought them into the United States illegally as children, which is a key priority for Democrats.