US President Donald Trump unveiled a merit-based immigration plan that would favour high-skilled workers.
In an address at the White House, he proposed to restrict family-based migration.
"Our plan includes a sweeping modernisation of our dysfunctional legal immigration process. It is totally dysfunctional," the president told reporters on Thursday.
Under the plan, which has not yet resulted in the drafting of any actual legislation, the number of visas awarded to the highly-skilled will be increased from 12 to 57 per cent.
He added that immigrants would be "required to learn English and to pass a civics exam prior to admission".
President Trump just unveiled his plan to create a fair, modern, and LAWFUL immigration system for America!
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 16, 2019
"Our proposal builds upon our Nation’s rich history of immigration, while strengthening the bonds of citizenship that bind us together as a national family.” pic.twitter.com/rkPmbZbCzt
Shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach kills 12
Police hold person of interest after Brown University shooting leaves two dead
Hamas says Israel's killing of senior commander threatens ceasefire
Ukraine's Zelenskyy ditches NATO ambition ahead of peace talks
Thailand declares curfew along coast as Cambodia border fighting spreads
