Trump working on executive orders to establish merit-based immigration system

New Delhi : US President Donald Trump is working on executive orders to establish merit-based immigration system, said the White House.

The White House statement came soon after Trump, in an interview with Telemundo News channel, said he is working on an executive order on immigration that will include a “road to citizenship” for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme.

Responding to a question, Donald Trump mentioned that the action on DACA would be much bigger bill on immigration.

“It’s going to be a very big bill, a very good bill, and a merit-based bill and it will include DACA, and I think people are going to be very happy,” the President said.

“One of the aspects of the bill is going to be DACA. We’re going to have a road to citizenship,” Trump said, drawing sharp criticism from quarters in his camp. Senator Ted Cruz described the move as a mistake.

“As the president announced today, he is working on an executive order to establish a merit-based immigration system to further protect US workers,” the White House said in a statement.

“Furthermore, the president has long said he is willing to work with the Congress on a negotiated legislative solution to DACA, one that could include citizenship, along with strong border security and permanent merit-based reforms,” the White House said. 

“This does not include amnesty. Unfortunately, Democrats have continually refused these offers as they are opposed to anything other than totally open borders,” said the White House in a statement.