Donald Trump called for an end to the Green Card Lottery after eight people were killed in New York by an Uzbeck-born jihadi card recipient.
The terrorist came into our country through what is called the “Diversity Visa Lottery Program,” a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
What is the US Green Card Lottery?
The US Green Card Lottery or Diversity Immigrant Visa is a programme that dishes out 50,000 Permanent Resident Cards to immigrants in the United States every year.
They are doled out to selected applicants from countries with low rates of immigration into the US over the preceding five years.
Applicants must have been born in an eligible country and have at least a high school education or two years’ work experience in a job that requires at least two years’ training or experience.
They must not have a criminal background, have basic means of support and also be in good health.
Country of birth, not country of residence, is what is used to determine who can receive a residency card.
Why does President Trump want to end the scheme?
President Trump renewed calls to scrap the scheme after a terror attack in New York on 31 October 2017.
Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old Uzbeck national, is suspected of carrying out a truck rampage in lower Manhattan that left eight pedestrians dead.
The jihadi fanatic and ISIS supporter was shot and injured by police after jumping from the rented pickup and screaming “allahu akbar” as he brandished two non-lethal guns.
Investigators found notes written in Arabic declaring support for ISIS as well as an Islamic State flag in the truck.
He had entered the US in 2010 and became a permanent resident as a recipient of the Green Card Lottery.
Saipov, a father of three, worked as a truck driver in Ohio and Florida before becoming an Uber driver in New Jersey.
Criticising New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, President Trump wrote: “The terrorist came into our country through what is called the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based.
“We are fighting hard for merit based immigration, no more Democrat lottery systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter).”
Source : https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4824166/us-green-card-lottery-diversity-immigrant-visa-donald-trump-new-york-attack/