FAIR: Trump Immigration Plan “A Much Needed Approach to Regaining Border Control, Modernizing the Legal Immigration System"
(May 16, 2019, Washington, D.C.) —The following statement regarding the introduction of the Trump immigration plan should be attributed to Dan Stein, president, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR):
“The Trump immigration plan would make significant changes that will help restore the public’s confidence in the government’s ability to secure our borders and will help ensure U.S. immigration policy is in the national interest.
“Significantly, the plan will address the growing crisis at the border and the current surge in apprehensions, which have reached levels unseen since 2007. The plan makes necessary changes to U.S. asylum laws that have been the jet fuel behind the current border surge, helping to stanch the humanitarian and public safety crisis at the border while assuring that those who are truly fleeing persecution can find a safe haven in the U.S.
“Notably, the plan also helps pivot the country to a more merit-based immigration system, modernizing our overall approach to legal immigration and ensuring that those who are selected to immigrate here have the skills and talents they will need to succeed in today’s America.
“Just as importantly, this proposal does not include any form of amnesty or reward for illegal immigrants – a measure that would only further incentivize illegal immigration – nor does it contain any controversial guest worker provisions that would increase the number of workers competing toe to toe against legal workers for a dwindling number of jobs.
“This is a blueprint that the American people can unite behind, because it contains key provisions that the president and many in Congress have fought for and campaigned on. Moreover, while this agenda doesn’t make every needed change, it offers the country a critical and viable path forward in the face of immigration extremism and the constant threat of open borders and immigration anarchy.
“Unfortunately, the proposal is “numbers neutral,” and fails to reduce overall legal immigration. Additionally, it fails to implement mandatory E-Verify, a necessary measure that will reduce the jobs magnet that draws illegal immigrants to this country in the first place while preserving U.S. jobs for Americans and legal workers.
“Americans should join FAIR and rally behind this proposal with these suggested improvements. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
Contact: Matthew Tragesser, 202-328-7004.