patrick.net

My first objection is that the refugee number ought to depend on the need (number of refugees out there) rather than a fixed number per year. Some years, there are more refugees than others.
My second objection is practical. We already bicker over how to measure achievement for people who grow up in this country. How do we extend that to people from all countries around the world? It seems like a tall order. I don't mind people trying, but there would be a lot of details to work through.
My final objection is that you have to define what you are looking for. Is it material wealth that they are bringing in? Is it achievement, or is it some measure of skill?

The H1b program already addresses one goal that you are trying to achieve. It purports to allow immigration based on immediate hiring needs. Now, you might say that it fails, but that is an implementation problem as much as a goal problem.

anonymous says

News flash - tourism is down from overseas right now - wonder why ?

Strong Dollar. Good for me, bad for the country. I like a weak dollar, and some moderate inflation to help people get out of debt.

NewGuy says

I'm proposing getting rid of H1B. It's the worst possible immigration system you could design for a ton of reasons. Companies could offer employment to applicants and the $ value of their salary would be taken into account by the stack rank, but the salary would have to still put them in the top X% of applicants in order for them to get in.

Once in they'd have green cards so they can leave their employer. This prevents the incentives employers have to hire H1Bs because they work harder because they will literally be deported if they are fired.

Good call on the disabled scam. Parents would have to leave if their kids could / would no longer support them. They would never qualify for any benefits in the US. The kids could take out life insurance policies on themselves to care for their parents in case the kid dies. But if the money runs out the parent has got to leave.

Excellent points all. H1-B was meant for Dr. Vijay Patel, the world-famous Cardiologist, to work at Merck for a year or so on a special new Cholesterol treatment. Instead, it's being used to fill entry level positions, in order to both drive down wages and work quality, since the visa holder is stuck working for the company, usually a contractor who pimps them out to the end user.

We do have other visas, the O-2 or something?

Also, instead of bringing in foreigners to do seasonal work, why not have a program that matches rural/rustbelt poor with seasonal work elsewhere?

anonymous says

So, any objections?

Yes....

A lot of the things you are considering are already on the books and not being enforced. Lets just try enforcing what we already have before moving on to the next activity.

We have "selective" enforcement in most everything in this country based on race, religion, socio-economic status, political affiliation..

Right now we can not even keep track of who enters and subsequently leaves this country despite numerous attempts and excuses

How much will this cost ? Is there going to be yet another new government entity created to oversee all of this ?

Doing just a tiny bit of fast research on this countries that already have a merit based system in place are continually amending and updating their policies and the overall effectiveness lies in the hands of the bureaucrats.

From what I've seen in my lifetime here where bureaucrats are involved as well as my tax dollars - I'll pass. Prove to me your serious and rai...

Is what's on the books worth enforcing? Why is a visa lottery better then what I'm proposing? Why is H1B? Why is chain migration?

I 100% agree with you, we need to do a better job of enforcement. What's your position on sanctuary cities? What's your position on E-Verify? I support both and would probably support any measure you would want to take to enforce whatever visa system we end up having. If Donald Trump is knowingly employing illegals at Mar a Largo, let's lock him up. Of course this is hard to prove without E-Verify, but let's get that in place and then prosecute when he violates.

But I'd really just like to focus on talking about what the ideal visa system would be. I've asked the question about what is wrong with a merit based system. Criticism of the implementation is valid, but there's plenty to criticize about the implementation of our current system.

In fact, a merit based system could easily save us money over our current system. For instance, we could make it a requirement that potential applicants pay a large fee to cover state department application processing costs. Ability to pay this fee would be a good indicator of immigrant quality. Not to mention, a merit based system that is explicitly designed to optimize immigrant quality for taxes paid is going to almost certainly result in more revenue then the current random + chain migration system.

FNWGMOBDVZXDNW says

My first objection is that the refugee number ought to depend on the need (number of refugees out there) rather than a fixed number per year. Some years, there are more refugees than others.
My second objection is practical. We already bicker over how to measure achievement for people who grow up in this country. How do we extend that to people from all countries around the world? It seems like a tall order. I don't mind people trying, but there would be a lot of details to work through.
My final objection is that you have to define what you are looking for. Is it material wealth that they are bringing in? Is it achievement, or is it some measure of skill?

The H1b program already addresses one goal that you are trying to achieve. It purports to allow immigration based on immediate hiring needs. Now, you might say that it fails, but that is an implementation problem as much as a goal problem.

1. I agree on #1, although I would put some max reasonable cap on it like 50K. I wouldn't want some later administration to come in and just declare a fake emergency to circumvent the system.

2. I agree it would be hard to do, but I think it's a lot easier to do this for visa applicants then US citizens. Mostly when measuring achievement of US citizens we are in the realm of education. The government has the duty to educate our children to the best of its ability and in addition, people's kids are very personal important subjects, so achievement measurement is controversial. Yet we do it. For immigrants, lets first all agree that the goal is to get the best possible group of immigrants in here. Then it's just a matter of setting some objective standards. Not all standards need to be purely financial. For instance, if we went purely based on IQ, just due to it's massive population sizes China and India would dominate. We could factor in a country of origin like we do for the visa lottery. I think it would be too hard to go into every possible variable we might consider on a forum, but I'd just like to see if anyone thinks it would be nearly impossible to come of with a pretty good set of metrics that would get us a good immigrant mix that most people support.

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.

And I strongly disagree that H1B does anything good. It is the worst possible visa system you could design. Sure, it's tied to an offer of employment, but the salary requirements are below prevailing wages and workers cannot leave the employer. Spouses can work! If we're supposed to be bringing in people to fill very specific needs that can't be met otherwise, WTF does that have to do with letting spouses work? "Oh, it's a hardship asking these people to live on a single income"... Well I guess the fucking employer that needs these skills so desperately because no american can do the job should pay more!

anon_65b28 says

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).

Agree with you 100% on the refugee thing that's why I put into the proposal a refugee visa quota. Not sure I would even have it be merit based, seems to me you should do it based on amount of oppression, if that is possible to even rank.

And it does go against the statue of liberty, but I think times have changed since the 1800s. Government provides social services (badly) and that costs money. We need to be selective who we let in otherwise the feeble safety net we have will collapse.

anon_1fe2e says

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.

Well at least lets make our immigration system be that way.

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.

Quigley says

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.

I agree with this. I didn't go into specifics on how we determine the % of the top immigrants we take. It would all be based on need, however that is determined. For the purpose of this discussion I don't really care. All I wanted to see was if anyone could come up with a good argument for why we shouldn't move towards a more merit based immigration system. I have literally never heard a good argument against it. Other then implementation concerns I have yet to hear one in this thread yet either.

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. Most liberals have a college education. Perhaps they are liberal exactly because they were indoctrinated in college and told that they are the elite, the chosen, the people who deserve everything they have because of their own merit alone. Nothing to do with borders keeping out perhaps better-qualified individuals willing to work for less...

Liberals are quite happy to import people from the 3rd world with no education because those people are no threat to themselves, only a threat to native-born US citizens who don't have much education. And if those lesser-educated US citizens complain that their own wages are being forced down by mass immigration of the unskilled, it is easy enough to call them racists! to justify their continued suffering as a result of liberal immigration policies.

And I says this as a college educated former liberal.

I like the basic approach, but be more strict. For example, refugees must file application from home country and cannot walk-in to claim.

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

MoneySheep says

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

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.

But now I think it's the right thing to do. Letting foreigners own land is giving them power over US citizens.

Tim Aurora says

We ( Progressives) all support merit based system.

Of course probably some do, but the general tone is very much opposed:

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/3/immigration-reform-is-demonized-by-liberals/

I'm not sure if (some) liberals oppose merit based immigration because of job competition or if it's just because they don't think it through. Hillary wanted to give every college grad a green card which would have been a terrible idea. I don't hear much concern from liberals about H1B which is suppressing wages for them according to studies.

I think a lot of liberals are opposed to immigration because Trump wants to curb it and Trump == Bad. Bernie wasn't a fan of H1B, although I think he was extremely hypocritical in being opposed to that program while wanting to grant amnesty to illegals. Maybe it is what you say Patrick, it seems extremely self interested to oppose H1B but support amnesty, especially as a white collar worker. At least open border folks are consistent.

NewGuy says

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

I'd even go further, and say in their minds Trump === Bad. (javascript joke there)

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.

Patrick says

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.

When was this as it's certainly not what I know from recent decades?

Lol, quite a while ago, in the 80's.

NewGuy says

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.

Sure, that would not be hard, but I don't have any rollback system to deal with vandalism.

What if someone just mangles your original post?

@NewGuy you know, that's a good idea and it would also not be hard to have a revisions table. So for any post, as soon as there is an edit by someone other than the original author, the previous version would get stored, and the original author could revert to any previous version.

Is it worth trying?

I’m sure given the proper UI a wiki would be easy to manage. The question is if the users here are actually interested in learning anything anymore or if they just want to argue.

There’s probably a ton of topics on this board where a sticky wiki page updated with the best info from the thread would be useful. The question would be how big of an issue the vandalism would be.

NewGuy says

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?

@NewGuy - Downvotes are not based on logic and serious questions/commentary will almost always get one or more.

NewGuy says

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.

This would be easy to enforce, too. Five years after gaining provisional residence in the US, IRS filings are checked. If the person doesn't measure up financially, they go home.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the RAISE act. Among other things, the bill proposes a "points" system similar to what is used by many countries right now. Trump has endorsed the bill. Trump has also created his own points system — it was on his website a few years ago but I can't seem to find it now.

APOCALYPSEFUCKisShostikovitch says

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.

And after all that, you still can't get any.

A way to handle parent and other family member visits should be the same as all guest visas: a visa is only granted if it is accompanied by proof of private health insurance that covers the duration of the visa visit. Let the private insurance industry figure it out (and be on the hook for the profits and losses). The insurance should also be required to cover legal and incarceration costs if the visitor runs afoul of the law.

Give them an IQ test in their own language, then check for criminal history, then make sure they’re not a fucking Muslim. If they’re over 120 and pass the check, admit them. We can use them, and they’ll make more smart people.

Quigley says

Give them an IQ test in their own language

No. Give them an IQ test in English, the language that should be made the official language of the USA and should be made the exclusive language of government and in-country commerce.

The objections that I have heard go like this: Why should student loan indebted Americans be made to compete against immigrants from free education countries?

It's not a good idea to let the government decide what the template of merit is based on paper degrees: should a Doctorate degree in Islamic scripture earn higher rating than a Master's degree in basket weaving? Why would either be rated higher than experience as a home-building or a chef without any degree?

IQ test in English and having a high minimum score requirement would be a better idea than edumacation degrees.

A better yet idea would be: $50k for processing fee, then $10k per year sur-tax on top of normal income tax till passing citizenship/naturalization test (which has English literacy and American history/civics tests) and becoming a citizen (usually after 5 years); no welfare of any kind before citizenship. Try it out for a few years, then if the new citizens have a higher than usual propensity to seek welfare after becoming citizens, increase the processing fees, sur-tax and duration before citizenship eligibility!

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

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 ?

Kakistocracy says

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 ?

There are plenty certifiably retarded among the native born, afflicted with severe mental disorder among the native born, and carrying deadly contagious disease among the native born . . . doesn't mean immigration laws of the past, present or future should allow in any foreigners with those characteristics.

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).

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.

I do if they claim we don't have trained people to fill those jobs, when I know for a damn solid fact. Microsoft for example hides all of the High Dive code examples and documentation from American servers but they are plastered all over Chinese, Russian and Indian servers.

Our education system is an elitist Philanthropy turnstile for their pampered kids to get a vanity degree. While real kids capable of learning what is required in the real world are left out and behind.

No more immigration until we build about 10 more major Cities to provide room and jobs for all of the Displaced people already have.

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.

Quigley says

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.

Great idea but would never happen because English is a colonialist, racist language.

I do. Don't we think we have enough immigrants already? Shouldn't we give ourselves time to absorb them? If not, what does America become? This is a serious question.

Kakistocracy says

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

Conscience Objector exception does not invalidate the Oath of Allegiance requirement any more than Conscience Objector in the context of draft / selective service requirement.

Kakistocracy says

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.

Here is a well known quote from Benjamin Franklin:

"When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic."

Are you asserting that Benjamin Franklin was a Trump fan?

Kakistocracy says

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

"He can have no right to the benefits of Society, who will not pay his Club towards the Support of it.”
Ben Franklin