WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Trump and Senate Republicans unveiled legislation to cut legal immigration levels in half over the next decade, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“There’s a lot we can do to fix our immigration policies, but the RAISE Act is a step in the wrong direction that would weaken America and hurt our economy.  President Trump’s message is at odds with the facts and contradicts our nation’s values.  There is consensus from business experts and economists across the political spectrum that this bill’s plan to slash legal immigration would harm the U.S. economy and I will vigorously oppose it.  Congress needs to work together on bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform that is tough, but fair.  And that requires real leadership, not just scapegoating.”