In 2012, Fareed Zakaria dedicated an episode of his CNN show GPS to exploring Canada’s skills-based immigration system, discussing why such a program accords with the modern economy. On Twitter, Zakaria proclaimed that “Canada has the most successful set of immigration policies in the world.” His praise continued in the pages of Time, where he stated America “is losing the best and brightest” to countries, like Canada, with an “immigration advantage.”

As recently as this March, Zakaria focused CNN airtime on what the United States could learn from its northern neighbor. He noted that Donald Trump applauded Canada’s immigration program in the president’s speech to Congress. “You have a really innovative reform system,” Zakaria said of Canada’s point system, which prioritizes immigration applicants based on education, work experience, and language skills.