Watch CNN’s Jim Acosta Spar With Trump Adviser Over Immigration
President Donald Trump along with GOP Senators unveiled the RAISE Act on Wednesday that would overhaul the nation's immigration system. According to FOX Business, the legislation would change legal immigration in the United States to more of a merit-based system.
The legislation, called The Raise Act, aims to replace the current permanent employment-immigration framework, which has been characterized by the Trump administration as a “lottery system,” with what it is calling a skill-based system that operates on the basis of individual merits. The new competitive application process will favor those who possess skills that will benefit the U.S. economy, can speak english and are able to financially support themselves and their families, Trump said.
The measure is based on a bill that was developed in Congress by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Sen. David Perdue (R- Ga.) and could slash the number of legal immigrants admitted to the country by curbing family-based immigration.
During the White House Press Briefing on Wednesday, Trump adviser Stephen Miller took to the podium to take questions about the RAISE Act and that is when the fireworks started. Miller called on CNN's Jim Acosta and what played out over nearly 7 minutes was a back and forth you must see.
Acosta at times sounded more like a debater of policy than journalist. Acosta pointed to the Statue of Liberty and America's past policies on immigration in what seemed like arguments against the President's new policy. Watch the video below for yourself and let us know if you think Jim Acosta crossed the line.