The Raise Act: Law Or Not?

The RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act) was a bill first introduced in the United States Senate in 2017 by Republican senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue. The bill sought to reduce legal immigration to the United States by half, by drastically cutting off some family-based immigration categories, redefining others, and eliminating the diversity visa. It also proposed to replace the existing employment-based system with a points system.

The RAISE Act's impact on family immigration

The RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment) was first introduced in the United States Senate in 2017 by Republican senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue. The bill did not receive a vote in the Senate and was reintroduced in 2019 but failed to advance.

The RAISE Act would have a significant impact on family immigration by reducing family-based immigration pathways. Currently, US citizens can sponsor spouses, minor children, parents, adult children, and siblings for permanent lawful residency in the US. The RAISE Act would eliminate all family sponsorship beyond spouses and minor children of US citizens and legal permanent residents. This would have a significant impact on family unity, a deeply rooted value in US immigration history.

In addition, the RAISE Act would impose a cap of 50,000 refugee admissions per year and eliminate the visa diversity lottery. The Act would also replace the current demand-driven model of employment-based immigration with a points system. This system would prioritize individuals who are already US-educated, trained in STEM fields, highly compensated, English-fluent, and young. Family ties are downplayed in the proposed system, and no points are granted based on family ties.

The RAISE Act's potential impact on family immigration has been widely criticized by Democrats, immigrant rights groups, and some Republicans. The National Immigration Law Center called the bill "cruel and un-American," arguing that it would "devastate families" and eliminate traditional means of family reunification. The bill has also been opposed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the technology industry immigration-policy advocacy group FWD.us, and the Anti-Defamation League, among other organizations.

The points system

The Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act, or RAISE Act, is a bill that was first introduced in the United States Senate in 2017. The bill sought to reduce legal immigration to the United States by 50% and impose a cap on refugee admissions. It also proposed to replace the current employment-based immigration system with a points system.

• Age (10 points maximum): Applicants closest to age 25 would earn the most points.
• Formal education (13 points maximum): More points would be awarded for degrees earned in the United States and for advanced degrees in a STEM field.
• English language proficiency (12 points maximum): High English proficiency would be rewarded with more points.
• Extraordinary achievement (40 points maximum): This includes achievements such as a Nobel Prize or an individual Olympic medal.
• Job offer/highly compensated employment (13 points maximum): Applicants with higher-paying job offers would receive more points, with the highest points for salaries at least 300% of the median household income in the state of employment.
• Investment and active management of a new enterprise (12 points maximum): Applicants would need to invest at least $1.35 million in a US enterprise and play an active role in managing it as their primary occupation.
• Valid (pre-existing) offer of admission under the family preference category: Applicants with a family connection to the US who have not received a visa within one year of the law's enactment would be eligible for extra points.

The bill proposes a minimum of 30 points ("pass mark") for an individual to be eligible to apply for a visa. Applicants with the highest number of points would be prioritised for receiving visas.

The bill's economic impact

The RAISE Act, or the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act, was first introduced in the United States Senate in 2017. The bill sought to reduce legal immigration to the United States by 50% and increase the proportion of highly skilled immigrants. The bill's economic impact has been a subject of debate, with supporters arguing that it would increase economic growth and wages, while opponents argue that it would have a negative impact on the economy.

Supporters of the bill, including President Trump and Senators Cotton and Perdue, contended that the RAISE Act would boost the economy and increase wages for American workers. They argued that by reducing the number of immigrants, the bill would lead to higher wages and more jobs for Americans. However, economists and policy analysts challenged these claims, predicting that cuts in immigration would have a negative impact on GDP growth. Over 1,400 economists signed an open letter to President Trump, urging him not to seek immigration cuts and highlighting the broad economic benefits that immigrants bring to the country.

The Penn Wharton Budget Model projected that the RAISE Act would increase per-capita GDP by 0.02% in the first decade but would fall by 2040, resulting in a 0.30% decrease in per-capita GDP compared to current policy. The model also projected a decrease in overall GDP, with a 0.7% reduction by 2027 and a 2% reduction by 2040. This decrease in GDP is attributed to the reduction in the number of workers and savings available for investment. While there may be a small boost to average wages, it is not enough to offset the lost work and savings of immigrant workers.

In addition to the economic impact, the RAISE Act has also been criticized for its potential impact on families and communities. The bill would dramatically reduce family-based immigration pathways, making it more difficult for US citizens to sponsor their parents, siblings, and adult children for permanent residency. Immigrant rights groups and other organizations have condemned the legislation, stating that it would "devastate families" and "tear apart communities."

Overall, the economic impact of the RAISE Act is a complex and highly debated topic. While supporters argue that it will increase economic growth and wages, economists and policy analysts predict negative consequences, including reductions in GDP, employment, and per-capita GDP in the long run.

The bill's sponsors and supporters

The RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment) was first introduced to the United States Senate in 2017. The bill was co-sponsored by Republican senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia. It was also supported by President Donald Trump, who promoted a revised version of the bill in August 2017. Trump advisers Stephen Miller and Steve Bannon also promoted and helped shape the bill.

The bill was opposed by Democrats, some Republicans, immigrant rights groups, and economists. Those against the bill included Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and seven of the eight Senators in the bipartisan "Gang of Eight". The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Anti-Defamation League also opposed the bill, calling it "cruel and un-American".

On the other hand, the bill was supported by groups favoring restrictive immigration policies, such as NumbersUSA and the Federation for American Immigration Reform. CNBC journalist John Harwood viewed the bill as an appeal to Trump's anti-immigration base of Republican voters.

The bill's opposition

The RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act) was first introduced in the United States Senate in 2017. The bill was co-sponsored by Republican senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue and sought to reduce legal immigration to the United States by 50%. The bill was opposed by Democrats, immigrant rights groups, and some Republicans.

The bill faced opposition due to its potential negative impact on family-based immigration and the perceived bias of the proposed points system. Here are some of the specific concerns raised by opponents of the bill:

Major Cuts to Family Immigration: The RAISE Act proposed to halve the number of green cards issued annually, from over 1 million to about 500,000. This reduction would be achieved by eliminating many current categories for family-sponsored immigration. Currently, US citizens can sponsor spouses, minor children, parents, adult children, and siblings without numerical limitations. The bill would eliminate all family sponsorship beyond spouses and minor children of US citizens and legal permanent residents, significantly impacting family reunification.

Negative Impact on Certain Countries: The cuts to family-based immigration would disproportionately affect immigrants from specific countries. US residents with relatives from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, China, India, and Vietnam are frequent sponsors of family-based green cards. The majority of sponsorships from these countries are for categories that would be eliminated under the RAISE Act. For example, more than 70% of green cards from India and Vietnam would be impacted.

Concerns About the Points System: The proposed points system, which would replace the existing employment-based system, was criticized for potentially disadvantaging certain groups, including women, people who work in the informal economy, individuals without formal education and employment history, middle-aged and older adults, and applicants from less-developed countries. The system was also seen as conflicting with American values of equal opportunity, non-discrimination, protection of minorities, and preserving family unity.

Economic Impact: Opponents of the bill, including economists, argued that reducing immigration would negatively impact GDP growth. They challenged the contention that the bill would increase economic growth and wages. A group of over 1,400 economists sent an open letter to President Trump, noting the "broad economic benefit that immigrants to this country bring" and urging him not to seek immigration cuts.

Opposition from Democrats and Immigrant Rights Groups: The bill was opposed by Democrats, who criticized it for being "nativist talking points" and failing to move the nation forward toward real reform. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and immigrant rights groups condemned the legislation, with the National Immigration Law Center calling it "cruel and un-American." They argued that the bill would "devastate families" and eliminate traditional means of family reunification.

Overall, the opposition to the RAISE Act centered around concerns about the negative impact on family-based immigration, the perceived bias and flaws in the proposed points system, potential economic consequences, and the bill's conflict with American values of inclusivity and equality.

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