New guy - I appreciate the attempt at serious discourse.

I don't necessarily have an objection to merit based but you can argue it is against early American principals vis-a-Vis the mantra of the Statue of Liberty "give me your tired your poor"... that sorta shit.

In that vein, maybe I am a softie in my old age but I really do sympathize with people seeking asylum due to some regime change in their forlorn country such that if they stay, they will be killed. Point being I would like to allow SOME immigration based more on humanitarian desires vs straight merit (perhaps the most meritorious of the asylum seekers).

NewGuy says

It doesn't matter where you are born or who your parents are, if you are smart and work hard you can achieve your dreams.

That would be lovely if it were true. It clearly isn't.

Immigration should be merit based AND relative to the unemployment level AND national home ownership. A small reserve for the true political refugees, but diverse and not all from one country like the disaster that was the Somali settlement in Minnesota.

TwoScoopsPlissken says

Immigration should be merit based AND relative to the unemployment level AND national home ownership. A small reserve for the true political refugees, but diverse and not all from one country like the disaster that was the Somali settlement in Minnesota.

This.
Exactly.

Your proposal is fairly close, but keep this statement from TwoScoops in mind.

Land in US must belong to its citizen.

And, only citizens are allowed to buy real estate. Foreigners are barred from buying real esate. Land in US must belong to its citizen.

The reason that merit-based systems are politically unpopular with liberals is that they would result in more immigrants who compete with liberals for jobs.

We ( Progressives) all support merit based system.

I think a lot of liberals are opposed to immigration because Trump wants to curb it and Trump == Bad.

I studied for a year in Austria in college and was quite shocked to hear that they had a law barring foreigners from owning land.

I wish this blog had a wiki post option that could be edited by any user. I edited the original post to include objections that I have heard so far, but it would be better if people could edit the list of objections themselves so I accurately state their position.

It was a serious question. Why the downvote? If you downvoted would you please explain what you don't like about a merit based immigration system like I described?

3. I'm mostly looking to maximize tax dollars paid by immigrants because that is an objective measure that is super easy to calculate. But I'm not ruling out other factors like special skills or diversity. But I would say 80% of the weight would be for tax dollars.

Give us your incredibly HOTT! lesbians with IQs of 728; your wanton, nubile chicks with nine-figure bank accounts; your insatiable harlots who yearn for ever more schlong unless they're volunteering for three ways with REAL! AMERICA!n MEN! when they're not making us sandwiches.

Give them an IQ test in their own language

Give them an IQ test in English

SunnyvaleCA says

Give them an IQ test in English

That would eliminate a lot of native born Americans as well.

What is our official religion going to be ?

Are there going to be official new sources, required reading etc ?

English literacy is an existing requirement for naturalization, and has been the case for over a century . . . as is the pledge of allegiance to the US Constitution (if you consider that a religion).

Also, being in jail or on welfare should automatically disqualify a person from voting during that time.

After some thought, the IQ test being in English would be a better idea. We want to promote study of our language abroad as much as possible. If potential immigrants knew they’d need to be fluent in English to have a chance, they’d study up ahead of time. Or at least the smart ones would, and those are the ones we want.
And before anyone says that this method is racist against say, Africans who have a lower average IQ, let’s note the example of Nigerian immigrants. They consistently break the bar when it comes to assimilation, achievement in education, success in business, and admittance to select schools. In fact, they surpass Asians in the latter regard. It’s gotten to the point where Leftists who love to talk about how much black people are held back by systemic racism are just ignoring the hell out of any Nigerians because it totally breaks their narrative.

Reality says

English literacy is an existing requirement for naturalization, and has been the case for over a century . . . as is the pledge of allegiance to the US Constitution (if you consider that a religion).

Oath Of Allegiance Changed: Pledge To Military Service No Longer Required For Naturalized Citizens - this was in 2015

Naturalized citizens will no longer have to pledge to defend the United States through military service when reciting the Oath of Allegiance if they have certain religious or conscientious objections, according to a new policy set out by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

https://www.ibtimes.com/oath-allegiance-changed-pledge-military-service-no-longer-required-naturalized-2021564

Reality says

Also, being in jail or on welfare should automatically disqualify a person from voting during that time.

What the fuck has someone being on welfare got to do with someone's ability or eligibility to vote?

That's a good chunk of team Trump supporters in the fly over states and old rust belt cities - got to get them clean enough off the meth and crack to get to the polls first though.

Wrap that flag tighter around yourself and get a few more signed Trump bibles to sell on E-Bay - claim to be a patriot.

What the fuck has someone being on welfare got to do with someone's ability or eligibility to vote?