Lets get the first part out of the way: Let us restrict this any time before, say, 1990, so we’re not dragged down into current politics right out of the gate. Honestly, the earlier, the better, to avoid that danger as much as possible. Yes, the Trump administration proposed something along these lines, but that doesn’t mean I’m asking about their proposal, or that the idea I’m suggesting has to resemble that one.
Anyway, here is a primer:
en.m.wikipedia.org
So, what if the US adopted such a system at some point in the past? Note that, while the historical examples of such systems are largely meritocratic, there is no reason why a point system could not be utilized in favoring immigrants seen as desirable due to racial/religious/etc reasons by the prevailing opinions of the era. For example, a 1920s version might give points to Northern Europeans. I’m not saying that would be a good thing, but it would be supported by the sensibilities of the era.
Anyway, here is a primer:
Points-based immigration system - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
So, what if the US adopted such a system at some point in the past? Note that, while the historical examples of such systems are largely meritocratic, there is no reason why a point system could not be utilized in favoring immigrants seen as desirable due to racial/religious/etc reasons by the prevailing opinions of the era. For example, a 1920s version might give points to Northern Europeans. I’m not saying that would be a good thing, but it would be supported by the sensibilities of the era.