Trump revives immigration debate on Capitol Hill

Amid the flurry of legislative activity surrounding healthcare and tax reform measures, lawmakers are suddenly buzzing about the potential revival of a long-dead effort to pass immigration reform.

The talks were spurred by President Trump, who encouraged a handful of lawmakers in a private White House meeting in January to try to hammer out their own immigration reform bill.

Trump last week raised the issue again, addressing immigration reform in his speech to a joint session of Congress. Trump told lawmakers that in addition to securing the border, he wants the United States to utilize a merit-based immigration system.

The current system emphasizes an immigrant's family ties rather than the ability to gain employment, and tends to result in more dependency on welfare programs.

"Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration and instead adopting a merit-based system will have many benefits," Trump told Congress. "It will save countless dollars, raise workers' wages and help struggling families, including immigrant families, enter the middle class."