(Photo Credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ AP/ Copyright 2018 The Associated Press)

The Trump Administration Releases Immigration Policy

Donald Trump unveiled his new immigration plan this week, which implements a “merit-based system” that prioritizes well-educated, English-speaking immigrants. He has also reasserted his promise to seal the Southern border and deport illegal migrants from Latin America.

“Border Patrol is apprehending record numbers of people at the Southern Border. The bad hombres, of which there are many, are being detained & will be sent home. Those which we release under the ridiculous Catch & Release loophole, are being registered and will be removed later!” Trump tweeted. “All people that are illegally coming into the United States now will be removed from our Country at a later date as we build up our removal forces and as the laws are changed. Please do not make yourselves too comfortable, you will be leaving soon!”

However, House Democrats scoffed at Trump’s proposal. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it “dead on arrival” and said the bill lacks enthusiastic support, even among Republicans.

“The president’s bid to sketch out a vision that could appeal beyond his conservative base represented a potentially risky shift at a time when he is eyeing a tough reelection campaign in which he believes immigration will play a major role,” the Washington Post reported. “In campaign rallies, Trump has continued to paint many immigrants as dangerous, and his effort Thursday to balance his hard-line tone exposed him to criticism from conservatives while failing to insulate him from attacks among Democrats.”