U.S. President Donald Trump, on Wednesday announced an initiative to reduce the number of legal immigrants allowed into United States each year and to prioritise highly skilled workers.

 The White House is throwing its support behind the bill developed by Republican senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia that would cut legal immigration by 50 percent over 10 years by reducing the kinds of relatives immigrants can bring into the country.

But the legislation faces an uphill climb to get through Congress where some senior Republicans back comprehensive immigration reform, not a tough crackdown.

Under the new bill, known as the RAISE Act, the United States would prioritize high-skilled immigrants by setting up a merits-based system similar to those used by Canada and Australia.

The White House said the bill will reduce overall immigration numbers in a bid to ease pressure on low-skilled wage jobs.

“It will replace the current visa programme with one that focuses on immigrants with better education, English Language skills, high-paying job offers, past achievements and entrepreneurial initiative.

“The move would not only restore the sacred bonds of trust with U.S. citizens, but will make sure future immigrants will be assimilated, will succeed and fulfil the American dream,’’ he said.

Trump has made immigration one of his signature issues, but his electoral campaign had primarily focused on reducing illegal immigration and the construction of a wall along the Mexican border.
He had also called for a reduction in legal immigration.

Senator David Perdue said that the proposal was partially formulated based on immigration policies in Canada and Australia.