The New York Times article, “Trump policy favors wealthier immigrants for green cards” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 13), is misleading from its start. It suggests that proposed changes via the RAISE Act are based on wealth. This is simply not true. These changes are based on factors that predict the ability of an individual to succeed in the U.S. and include the ability to speak the host-country language, professional skills, level of education, offer of employment, ability to support self and family, and more. Nowhere does it set thresholds on wealth.

This system is in use by some of the world’s most stable and prosperous countries, including Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Denmark and Australia. It is designed to allow qualified immigrants the greatest chance to work and flourish in American society and to avoid being on government subsistence. Also, know that it does not apply to refugees, asylum-seekers, pregnant women and children, current green card holders, or certain members of the military. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Tim Gedney

Hawaii Kai

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