US President Donald Trump and two Republican senators have unveiled a new immigration plan aimed at halving the number of legal immigrants travelling into the United States.
The plan aims to favour English speakers, have a points-based system for green cards, and would put a cap on the number of refugees able to gain permanent residency at 50,000 a year.
Mr Trump endorsed the proposal in remarks made at the White House flanked by the Republican Senators who drafted the legislation, Tom Cotton and David Perdue.
Mr Trump said the plan would represent "the most significant reform to our immigration system in half a century."
The changes may have a significant impact on Irish people seeking to avail of the 'green card lottery', which was created in the 1980s as a way to assist Irish immigrants to the US who did not necessarily qualify for a green card under regular means.
Currently 50,000 green cards are handed out annually as part of what is now known as the Diversity Visa Lottery, although far fewer Irish people apply than did in the 1980s.
According to the Washington Post, just 36 Irish people received diversity visas in 2016.
Mr Perdue and Mr Cotton believe the plan would cut legal immigration by 50% over 10 years, by reducing the number of relatives immigrants can bring into the country.
The legislation faces an uphill climb to get through Congress.
Pres Trump's new immigration plan will have a points-based system for green cards, with preferential treatment for those who speak English
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) August 2, 2017
"This competitive application process will favour applicants who can speak English, financially support themselves and their families and demonstrate skills that will contribute to our economy," Mr Trump said.
Mr Trump blasted the current immigration system as out of date and argued that it hurts American workers by driving down wages.
He said: "The reforms will help ensure that newcomers to our wonderful country will be assimilated, will succeed and will achieve the American dream."
Under the new bill, the United States would prioritise high-skilled immigrants by setting up a merits-based system similar to those used by Canada and Australia.
