True conservative immigration reform requires an end to chain migration. In the past 35 years alone, 20 million people have come to the country simply because a relative had a green card. Recent polling suggests 79 percent of voters want an immigration system that prioritizes highly educated and skilled immigrants. Merit-based immigration makes sense for the 325 million Americans, and that should be the priority of legislative action.
As The Heritage Foundation explained earlier this year, “While reunifying immediate family members (spouses and children) should remain a priority of the immigration system, our current system allows single immigrant to secure green cards for his or her parents and siblings, making it possible for an extensive web of external family members to relocate to the U.S.”
“Family-based immigration is not concerned with what an immigrant can contribute to the U.S. economy, nor with the fiscal costs of bringing in less-educated immigrants,” concluded Heritage.
The policy arguments are inescapable, and ending chain migration has long been part of President Trump’s immigration proposal.
CHAIN MIGRATION cannot be allowed to be part of any legislation on Immigration! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017
Below, you will find additional comments made by President Trump and a sample of comments from congressional Republicans making the point that chain migration must stop.
President Trump—Tweets
CHAIN MIGRATION must end now! Some people come in, and they bring their whole family with them, who can be truly evil. NOT ACCEPTABLE! pic.twitter.com/PQGeTTdRtX — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
Congress must end chain migration so that we can have a system that is SECURITY BASED! We need to make AMERICA SAFE! #USA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017
The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration & ridiculous Lottery System of Immigration etc. We must protect our Country at all cost! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2017
Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country—time for change! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018
Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for today’s very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018
The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018
President Trump — Statements and Press Releases
“First and foremost, as I have been saying since I first announced my candidacy for President, America must fix its lax immigration system, which allows far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to access our country. Today’s terror suspect entered our country through extended-family chain migration, which is incompatible with national security. My Executive action to restrict the entry of certain nationals from eight countries, which the Supreme Court recently allowed to take effect, is just one step forward in securing our immigration system. Congress must end chain migration.” December 11, 2017
“This system of Chain Migration—whereby one immigrant can bring in their entire extended families, who can bring in their families and so on—de-skills the labor force, puts downward pressure on wages, and increases the deficit. Chain Migration also undermines national security, by failing to establish merit-based criteria for evaluating entrants into the United States – instead, familial relations are all that is required to obtain a green card and, in turn, become a voting U.S. Citizen within a short period of time, with access to Federal welfare and government benefits.” December 15, 2017
“For decades now, U.S. immigration rules have been based on an outdated system known as Chain Migration. Under chain migration, foreign nationals can come to the United States and bring in unlimited numbers of foreign relatives. A single immigrant can begin a chain that could ultimately bring in dozens of increasingly distant relations . . . Because these individuals are admitted solely on the basis of family ties—not skill or not merit—most of this immigration is lower-skilled, putting great strain on federal welfare. And because there is no real selection criteria, the current system is totally incompatible with national security.” December 16, 2017
President Trump — Speeches and Interviews
“Chain migration is one of the disasters. You allow one person in, and that one person brings in 10 or 12 people” October 11, 2017
"I don't think any Republican would vote for anything having to do with leaving chain migration," said Trump. "Chain migration is a disaster for this country, and it's horrible." November 2, 2017
“The real changes that we’re facing are the drugs and the gangs pouring into our country, the millions of people who are overstaying their visas. Chain migration that costs taxpayers billions and billions of dollars . . . And as I said, ending chain migration. We want a system that is merit-based. They come in on merit. They don't come in a lottery system.” December 8, 2017
“The first attacker came through visa lottery and the second came through chain migration; we’re gonna end both of them. Congress must get involved immediately and they are involved immediately and I can tell you we have tremendous support. They will be ended.” December 12, 2017
“Both terrorists came to our country through the dysfunctional immigration system, that we are correcting and rapidly. One came through chain migration, the other visa lottery.” December 15, 2017
“Our current immigration system fails Americans. Chain migration is a total disaster which threatens our security and economy and provides a gateway for terrorism…. Crucially [DACA bill and immigration reform] must end chain migration and it must end the lottery.” January 4, 2017
Sample of Congressional Republicans’ Statements
Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) — November 1, 2017
“I strongly support President Trump’s call today to end harmful visa lottery and chain migration policies . . . America has by far and away the most generous immigration system on the planet, but we only accept between 5-12 percent of immigrants based on education and skill level. I encourage my colleagues to quickly take up these important, common-sense reforms.”
Martha Roby (R-Ala.) — January 24, 2018
“I'm a proud cosponsor of Representative Bob Goodlatte's (R-VA) bill, the Securing America's Future Act, because I believe it represents the best course of action for our country as it relates to illegal immigration and DACA . . . It would refocus our legal immigration standards on the skills we actually need in our country by ending the visa lottery program and chain migration.”
Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) — January 17, 2018
“I agree with President Trump that chain migration and the visa lottery system are the top problems that must be fixed . . . Chain migration is an easy way for a U.S. citizen or green card holder to get family members from another country into ours. Individuals are granted entry to the United States based on familial relations and the number of instances this method is being used is through the roof.”
Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) — January 11, 2018
“It's really a stunning impact most immigrants come to this country as part of chain migration rather than being sought out for their skills . . . We've been going for basically almost three generations now with a focus on familial ties as opposed to what is really in the best interest of the United States of America.”
Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) — January 18, 2018
“We promised border security. We promised NO AMNESTY. We promised an end to chain migration. Congress cannot expect the American public to trust us if we cannot keep our promises.”
Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) — January 25, 2018
“We have to drag the Senate to the right. The President is willing to negotiate, but he is holding fast to the key objectives of the American people: end chain migration, end the visa lottery & secure the border.”
David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) — March 10, 2015
“You gotta understand the unintended consequences . . . Someone becomes a U.S. Citizen and often they may have as many as 60 . . . family members they can sponsor to come to the United States. It is that chain migration that creates this massive multiplier effect of inbound migration.”
French Hill (R-Ark.) — January 11, 2018
“I think Chairman Goodlatte, Chairman McCaul's effort that they introduced this week contains those four priorities. Yes it includes other things like a guest worker program for the agricultural industry which I think is fantastic, but it does break the chain migration situation. It does deal with the diversity lottery issue—all the things that were talked about in the White House meeting.”
Ken Calvert (R-Calif.)
“First, I am wholeheartedly against amnesty. I believe it is inherently unfair to give legal status to those whose first actions were to break our laws. Below are some of the initiatives I support to deter illegal immigration, increase interior enforcement and keep our border secure: The Nuclear Family Priority Act (H.R. 692). Ends chain migration.”
Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) — January 20, 2018
“President Trump rightly decided to rescind what was done by a previous executive order so we can abide by the law and put a good law in place that addresses border security; chain migration; and what to do with those here illegally, which there is a lot of sympathy for across this country for those minors who are here under DACA. Mr. Speaker, it is time we get back to work and put this country to work again and not hold 320 million Americans ransom in order to do this for a handful of illegal immigrants in this country.”
Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — January 5, 2018
“Securing the border, dealing with chain migration—I think there is a common ground that both sides can get to . . . The President laid it out very clearly. If you want to deal with DACA, you have got to have the border security so we don’t have to deal with this issue again, and chain migration.”
Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) — May 1, 2014
“As the saying goes: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Mr. Speaker, we have already been fooled once. Amnesty has been tested, and it has proven to be a failed policy. In fact, it has served only as a catalyst for chain migration, which has compounded many of the horrific economic and social challenges that we face today.”
Ed Royce (R-Calif.) — May 17, 2007
“They are telling us they are going to end chain migration. But in order to do that they must triple chain migration. Then in the distant future, after everybody is here, they promise to stop chain migration and move to an ill defined "points system". History shows this will not happen . . . This is no grand bargain.”
Mimi Walters (R-Calif.)
“Chain migration needs immediate reform to end abuses. I support legislation to retain immigration preferences only for the for the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, and to eliminate preferences for the extended family members.”
Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) — September 6, 2017
“President Trump has asked Congress to craft legislation to deal with this and related topics. In doing so, it is important to put the interests of the American people front and center. First, Congress should not increase incentives for illegal immigration, which a naked codification of Obama's executive action will do. In addition, Congress should not expand chain migration, which could happen if an amnesty recipient can sponsor those who did knowingly violate our immigration laws . . . chain migration should be discarded in favor of admission criteria based on merit and skill.”
Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) — January 17, 2018
“Congressional conservatives should continue to support immigration policies to end the visa lottery, stop chain migration, build a wall, implement e-verify nationwide, and remove dangerous criminals from America. Anything else would be a betrayal to our voters.”
Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) — January 22, 2018
“Securing our borders, fixing our broken visa system, and eliminating the diversity lottery and “chain migration” are critical national imperatives which must accompany any extension of the unconstitutional program known as DACA. I hope that sincere negotiations will produce needed improvements in our immigration system, like these, and that government funding will not be used as leverage in the process.”
Jody Hice (R-Ga.) — December 29, 2017
“In the new year, there are urgent fixes to our broken immigration system that must take priority over others. Time to #buildthewall, rein in chain migration, and reform how we evaluate entrance into our nation. I applaud President Trump for prioritizing American security. #MAGA”
Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) — January 9, 2018
“As the President said, a deal must include stronger border security, stopping chain migration, and ending the diversity visa lottery.”
Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) — December 11, 2017
“We must put an end to chain migration! I support President Trump's calls to put an end to this failed immigration policy.”
Ralph Abraham (R-La.) — January 12, 2018
“Almost on cue there’s a controversy in the media to distract from what Republicans want to accomplish—securing our border, ending chain migration and the lottery system, and providing a reasonable pathway for DACA recipients to earn their citizenship the right way . . . Republicans can’t let the tail wag the dog here; we must stand firm on this issue.”
Clay Higgins (R-La.) — January 22, 2018
“I will continue working with my colleagues to secure the border and end chain migration. My focus remains on putting Americans first.”
Mike Johnson (R-La.) — December 12, 2017
RT @HouseJudiciary: .@RepGoodlatte: Our immigration system has to be in the best interest of the United States. Ending chain migration and the visa lottery would make us safer and be better for our economy."
Steve Scalise (R-La.) — January 10, 2018
“Just by the talk of President Trump saying that we’re going to secure the border and enforce our laws, you’re seeing a dramatic drop in illegal border crossings, but there’s more that needs to be done . . . We need to end chain migration. We need to end this lottery system that we’ve seen time and time again is a failed and flawed system. Let’s get back to the things that work. We let a million people into our country legally every year, the most generous nation in the world. Let’s strengthen that legal system and border security in place, and I think you can see an agreement that can be reached.”
Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) — December 8, 2017
“Bruce's position is crystal clear: No Amnesty and No Sanctuary Cities. We must also end chain migration, enforce E-Verify and we should not accept refugees from high risk countries. Moreover, we must fully fund our border security! Please Share if You Agree.”
Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) — January 11, 2018
“As a government, we are charged with supporting the well-being and safety of all American citizens. In order to fulfill this responsibility, we must secure our borders, end chain migration, and mandate E-Verify as a national practice. We don't need to promote the practice of rewarding illegal aliens by providing jobs and safe havens, but, rather, our obligation is to law- abiding American citizens. We cannot take care of the rest of the world if we are unable to take care of America and its citizens first.”
Billy Long (R-Mo.) — January 14, 2018
RT @FoxNews: .@sendavidperdue: "72% of Americans want... an end to chain migration, they want immigration limited to the worker
Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) — January 11, 2018
“Much discussion in Congress on major policy shifts to address immigration concerns: ending the visa lottery system, restricting chain migration, and enhancing border security in order to accommodate the children of DACA.”
Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) — December 14, 2017
“Congress has less than three months to do the job it’s supposed to do according to the Constitution. In my view, it is the height of hypocrisy for Congress not to act and allow further executive action. I have no plans to apologize for urging congressional leaders of both parties to do their job on an issue that has not worked effectively for over 30 years . . . I am taking a deep dive into the chain migration issue and the proper restrictions.”
Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) — January 21, 2018
“Nations across the world have a merit based immigration system. Currently, our immigration system prioritizes chain-migration over skills-based migration, which fails to serve our national interests.”
Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) — January 22, 2018
“I am committed to working with all of my colleagues, both Democrats and “Republicans, to deliver a solution that follows through on our promises: to secure the border, end chain migration, and end the diversity visa lottery program”
Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) — January 23, 2018
“Anything that’s going to happen — we need to deal with the core issue, the core problem. And securing the border is a priority. Dealing with these extended families, they call it chain migration where one illegal immigrant can have his family members come in, aunts and uncles and cousins. That’s got to stop. As well as the lottery system. We need more of a merit based system . . . Any consideration must include those three parameters.”
Tom Cole (R-Okla.) — January 23, 2018
“Chain migration is trickier because it's also called family reunification, but there's got to be some reasonable boundary to it and probably the Republican position would be the nuclear family.”
Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) — January 25, 2018
“Chain migration is a problem. We have immigration laws in this country for two basic reasons: to preserve American jobs and protect national security. Chain migration undermines both of these principles.”
Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) — January 22, 2018
“In addition, naturalization not only bestows rights and benefits to the individual naturalized, but also for their family members. So through chain migration, one individual fraudulently naturalized can result in hundreds of additional naturalizations. Such actions make a mockery of U.S. immigration law and policy.”
Tom Rice (R-S.C.) — January 16, 2018
“If [President Trump] can get something done on DACA that also gives us the things that he wants, which is border security, which is to end chain migration—which allows people to once one person gets here they can bring you know lots of family members to in the visa lottery system, which makes no sense whatsoever—if we can get those things done, and couple that with safety for these dreamers, I would be all in favor of that deal.”
Diane Black (R-Tenn.) — January 24, 2018
“With President Trump in the Oval Office, we have an opportunity to fix our broken immigration system and secure the border once and for all. Our current system makes our country less safe and fails to put the interests of the American people first . . . By building the border wall, strictly enforcing our laws, and ending chain migration, we are securing our nation for future generations and putting the safety and prosperity of the American people first.”
Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) — January 18, 2018
“670,000. 3,600,000. 11,000,000. Once in a while, the truth slips out. "Dreamers" includes recently arrived illegal aliens, many adults, as well as extended families, because of chain migration.”
Bill Flores (R-Texas) — January 22, 2018
“Now that the theatrics are over, we can move on to addressing the priorities of hardworking Texas families. We can also resume bipartisan, bicameral discussions on the ‘four priorities blueprint’ for immigration reform. These discussions about border security, DACA, chain migration and the broken visa lottery system were delayed while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held the country hostage for partisan political purposes.”
Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) — January 26, 2018
“Not only will it take ten-plus years to clear the chain migration backlog of applications while choking the system, it will open the door to those illegally here who have not yet even applied for legal status, a number which will expand exponentially. This, in turn, will eventually result in millions more illegally here—not to mention more corruption due to the sheer volume of the amnesty.”
Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) — December 12, 2017
“The recent terror attack in New York City is the latest example of how the American immigration system fails our citizens and compromises our national security. We must end dangerous chain migration and secure America’s borders to keep our families and communities safe.”
Pete Olson (R-Texas) — December 15, 2017
“Chain migration must come to an end. After two terrorist attacks in New York City in only a few months, it’s clear that we urgently need to repair our broken immigration system and protect our country.”
Lamar Smith (R-Texas) — September 8, 2017
“Mr. Speaker, my colleagues may be aware of a legal immigration reform bill that increases skilled workers needed in America, reduces the chain migration of non-immediate relatives, and saves jobs for American workers . . . Congress needs to approve an immigration bill that puts the interests of Americans first.”
Dave Brat (R-Va.) — November 17, 2017
“There is bipartisan agreement that employers should not be allowed to undercut American workers by hiring illegal aliens. There is bipartisan agreement that family chain migration is not just unfair, but bad public policy. And there is bipartisan agreement that allowing a computer to select 50,000 random people to settle here is, at best, irrational.”
Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) — January 26, 2018
“The startling information in this report confirms what we already know: our current immigration system is broken, and it fails to protect the American people. America is a nation of immigrants, most of whom came to this country seeking a better life. However, the years of lax enforcement, weak border security, and chain migration have brought in dangerous foreign nationals who have conspired against and in some cases harmed Americans.”
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) — January 16, 2018
“To me, that means addressing the same bipartisan issues that negotiators in the House and Senate are working on, including fixing DACA to provide certainty to those who came here at no fault of their own, but also working to strengthen border security efforts through increased border infrastructure and agents, and completing a biometric entry-exit system to ensure that we reduce visa overstays. We must also reform the diversity visa lottery and address chain migration. I support these four bipartisan principles.”
Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) — January 26, 2018
“In regards to immigration law, the solution is clear: We need to secure our border, build the wall, and end chain migration and the diversity lottery.”