Donald Trump calls for 'merit-based immigration system'

United States President Donald Trump has thrown light on the four pillars of his immigration programme, in his first official State of the Union address, calling for a "merit-based immigration system."

In the first pillar, Trump outlined his offer of a path to citizenship to 1.8 million "Dreamers" who were brought to this country illegally by their parents.

"The first pillar of our framework generously offers a path to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants who were brought here by their parents at a young age that covers almost three times more people than the previous administration," said Trump.

"Under our plan, those who meet education and work requirements, and show good moral character, will be able to become full citizens of the United States," Trump added.

The word Dreamer is used to refer to the group of undocumented immigrants, who came to the US as children.

The DREAM Act - an acronym that stands for Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors, if you're wondering - was introduced in the Senate in 2001. The act gave the name to that generation of immigrants: the DREAMers.

"The second pillar fully secures the border. That means building a wall on the Southern border," the US President added, "Crucially, our plan closes the terrible loopholes exploited by criminals and terrorists to enter our country -- and it finally ends the dangerous practice of Catch-and-Release."

"The third pillar ends the visa lottery -- a program that randomly hands out green cards without any regard for skill, merit, or the safety of our people. It is time to begin moving towards a MERIT-BASED immigration system -- one that admits people who are skilled, who want to work, who will contribute to our society, and who will love and respect our country," the President underscored.

"The fourth and final pillar protects the nuclear family by ending chain migration," said Trump.

Trump added that these four steps will also aid in putting a full stop opioid and drug addiction, added the US President.

Immigration was the single issue Trump spent the most time discussing, taking up nearly 650 words, according to the reports.

--ANI