Trump Gives Big Boost to RAISE Act—Promotes Lower Immigration Levels, Ends DV, Reduces Refugee Resettlement Totals

In a rousing speech reminiscent of his campaign, President Trump speaking in Youngstown, Ohio, endorsed Senators Tom Cotton and David Purdue’s RAISE Act. The legislation would shift immigration policy away from family chain migration, and implement a merit-based system. A New York Post reporter wrote that the Rust Belt gave President Trump a hero’s welcome, in part because he made the link between current immigration that displaces American workers, and creates an economic burden for taxpayers that must underwrite the affirmative benefits given to dependent immigrants.

President Trump: “We want a merit based system, one that protects our workers, our taxpayers and one that protects our economy." For a presidential candidate to consistently campaign on pro-American immigration reform and, elected on that platform, then deliver a rousing speech to reinforce his promise is unprecedented. 

Specifically, the RAISE Act would, according to Senator Cotton, “lower overall immigration to 637,960 in its first year and to 539,958 by its tenth year, a 50 percent reduction from the 1,051,031 immigrants who arrived in 2015.” The total is still higher than traditional levels, but a big step in the right direction.
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Read this Voice of America story here that includes CAPS RAISE Act endorsement. Then, please go to the CAPS Action Alert page here to tell your Senators that you expect their support of the vitally important RAISE Act.