[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 179 (Friday, November 3, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H8480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MERIT-BASED VISA PROGRAM
(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, Uzbekistan uber terrorist Saipov's
attack in New York City is another example why the United States should
end the diversity visa lottery. And I emphasize the word ``lottery.''
The program should have ended years ago. Under this 1990 program, the
State Department gives 50,000 visas each year to immigrants from
different parts of the world using a lottery system. Getting into the
United States is like playing bingo. It is a game of chance.
Our immigration system should be changed to accept the best and
brightest throughout the world. It is time to go to a merit-based visa
system. Grant visas to people who will benefit America. Stop the random
system that allowed Saipov to come in; a system that rolls the dice
where foreigners win and Americans lose.
And that is just the way it is.
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