United States President Donald Trump, in a speech to Congress, called for adopting a merit- based immigration system that could benefit high-tech professionals from countries like India, modifying his hardline campaign rhetoric with a promise to revive the ‘American spirit’.
Mr. Trump noted that “nations around the world, like Canada, Australia and many others have a merit-based immigration system." Such a system would save countless dollars and raise workers’ wages.
Here is how it works in Australia:
Australia, with a population of 24 million, caps the number of permanent migration visas to 1,90,000 a year. The visas fall into three broad categories- skilled, family and humanitarian. Two-thirds of permanent residency visas are allocated to skilled migrants, in a bid to attract highly employable people. Certain skilled visas are governed by a points based system that considers the applicant’s English proficiency, age, experience and occupation. For example, migrants who have a PhD would receive more points than someone with no college education.
Those attempting to migrate on a family visa are not subject to a skills test, but must be sponsored by close relatives who are either Australians citizens or permanent residents, or certain New Zealand citizens living in Australia.
Humanitarian visas are offered to refugees.
Mr. Trump introduced the idea of a merit-based immigration system after invoking the memory and words of late President Abraham Lincoln, saying, “Lincoln was right — and it is time we heeded his words. Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit based system, will have many benefits: it will save countless dollars, raise workers’ wages, and help struggling families — including immigrant families — enter the middle class,” he said in a State of the Union-style address that lasted for an hour.
(With inputs from AP, PTI)
