Trump rails against ‘outdated’ immigration system in weekly address

President Trump reignited calls on Saturday for Congress to end “chain migration” and establish a merit-based immigration system, arguing that the current process threatens U.S. national security and overburdens federal welfare.

In his weekly address, Trump railed against the current U.S. immigration system, calling it “outdated” and suggesting that it is designed to help “special interests.”

He took particular aim at “chain migration” — the process by which American citizens or green card holders can sponsor relatives abroad to come to the U.S.

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“Because these individuals are admitted solely on the basis of family ties — not skill or not merit — most of this immigration is lower skill, putting great strain on federal welfare,” he said in a video posted online. “And because there is no real selection criteria, the current system is totally incompatible with national security.”

The president’s address was a continuation of his remarks on Friday, in which he called immigrants who enter the U.S. through visa lotteries the “worst of the worst.”

In both sets of remarks, Trump mentioned two recent terrorist attacks in New York City. One was allegedly carried out by someone who had come to the U.S. on a visa available to relatives of American citizens. The other suspect entered the country through a visa lottery for people from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.

Trump has backed a measure that would end “chain migration” and establish a system by which visas are awarded based on merit. The president has long criticized the U.S. immigration system, vowing on the campaign trail to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and moving to ban people from certain Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

“Base it on love of our country,” he said in his weekly address. “We want people to come in that can love our country.”