Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said Sunday legal immigration reform ought to include more than just skilled workers, as President Donald Trump’s proposed merit-based plan outlines.
In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Toomey said he’s “open to more legal immigration.”
“I think the president is right in his insights that people who come with a lot of human capital, intellectual capital, education, these people contribute to our country enormously,” he said. “It's a no-brainer to allow people who come here, the best and brightest from around the world.”
“But I think people with lower skills can contribute as well, he added. “So I'd be open to expanding that category as well. “
Toomey also said Pennsylvania already houses some migrant families who have strained housing facilities at the southern border — a move that’s riled authorities in Florida.
“We actually do house some migrant families and that's a temporary arrangement that is made necessary by the crisis on the border,” he said. “I would like to fix the crisis so that that's not necessary.”
According to Toomey, the nation has “got to change our laws that are driving people, America is a magnet. If you come there with a child you're almost guaranteed to get in.”
Toomey also defended the president’s tariffs on China — but is adamantly opposed to subsidizing farms who suffer because of them.
“I actually think the president is right to challenge China,” he said.
But, he added: “I think it's bad policy to start just sending checks to farmers or any segment of the economy.”
“What I think we ought to be doing is working with allies, working with friendly countries finding more markets, opening up more markets, taking down trade barriers and creating an opportunity for our farmers to sell their products around the world rather than sending them a check from taxpayers.”
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