Merit-based immigration to be pushed

White House effort seeks to change family-based system.

The White

WASHINGTON — House is embarking on a major campaign to turn public opinion against the nation’s largely family-based immigration system ahead of an all-out push next year to move toward a more merit-based structure.

The administration was laying the groundwork for such a drive even before an Islamic State-inspired extremist who was born in Bangladesh tried to blow himself up in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. It is assembling data to bolster the argument that the current legal immigration system is not only ill-conceived, but dangerous and damaging to U.S. workers.

“We believe that data drives policy, and this data will help drive votes,” said White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, for what the administration considers, “common sense America-first immigration controls the president has proposed.”

White House officials outlined their strategy this week to The Associated Press, and said the data demonstrates that changes are needed immediately. But their effort will play out in a difficult political climate, as even Republicans in Congress are leery of engaging in a major immigration debate ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

The issue is expected to be prominently featured in the president’s Jan. 30 State of the Union address. The White House also plans other statements by the president, appearances by Cabinet officials and a push to stress the issue in conservative media.

CAROLYN KASTER / ASSOCIATED PRESS The White House is embarking on a major campaign to show that the current legal immigration system is not only ill-conceived, but dangerous and damaging to American workers.