House Speaker Paul Ryan said Sunday he won’t get into details on when to cap green cards allowing immigrants to enter the U.S., saying that securing the border and helping people already here find jobs are priorities.
Explaining his five-pronged agenda for the coming year on Fox News, Ryan said his top concern is improving labor force participation, which remains at the lowest rate in decades. To that end, the Wisconsin Republican wants to shift to an immigration system based more on how an applicant can contribute to the economy than whether they have family already in the country.
“Should we be giving green cards based on who you are related to, or should we be giving out green cards based on how you contribute to the economy?” Ryan asked.
Ryan has said he won’t bring a comprehensive immigration reform plan to the House floor this year while President Obama remains in office, but hasn’t ruled out taking up smaller immigration reforms.
Asked Sunday if he would propose legislation lowering the number of green cards issued, Ryan said he wasn’t “going to get into the details.”
“We should have a cap on green cards, of course,” Ryan said. “Let Congress do its job and work its will on how those caps should be adjusted and set. But none of this works if we don’t have a secure border. Also don’t forget we’ve got to get people in this country who are citizens to work.”
