In State of the Union speech, Trump touts four-tiered immigration plan

PHOENIX — President Donald Trump laid out the foundation for a new immigration plan during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Trump proposed a four-tiered immigration reform package, vowing to offer a path to citizenship for young immigrants, build a U.S.-Mexico border wall and end both the visa lottery and chain migration.

“In recent months, my administration has met extensively with both Democrats and Republicans to craft a bipartisan approach to immigration reform,” he said.

“Based on these discussions, we presented the Congress with a detailed proposal that should be supported by both parties as a fair compromise — one where nobody gets everything they want, but where our country gets the critical reforms it needs.”

It was the latest public statement from the president regarding immigration since he first proposed a similar framework last week.

“My duty, and the sacred duty of every elected official in this chamber, is to defend Americans — to protect their safety, their families, their communities, and their right to the American dream,” Trump said. “Because Americans are dreamers too.”

Trump pointed to “two terrorist attacks in New York…made possible by the visa lottery and chain migration” as a major reason why he was pushing for the reforms.

The president said the House and Senate will be voting on immigration reform within the next few weeks.

“For over 30 years, Washington has tried and failed to solve this problem. This Congress can be the one that finally makes it happen.”

Related

PVC pipes swept away by Hurricane Helene flooding still dominate cleanup of North Carolina riverUnemployment benefit claims dipped slightly last week as layoffs remain lowSandwiches to socialism: How a DSA chapter in Austin is building political powerThe Latest: Trump interrupted by protesters as he campaigns for Paxton in US Senate race in TexasThe cost of drugs from Canada is set to soar for millions of Americans because of a federal ruleMost Americans think artificial intelligence is developing too fast, a new AP-NORC poll finds