I urge Sens. Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown to oppose the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, which slashes the number of legal U.S. immigrants.

The standards set by this act are absurd: It would effectively keep out any potential immigrants who are not wealthy. Heck, even I would not qualify, and I earn nearly $100,000 annually.

Are we now saying that our own citizens, even those with great jobs or skills though perhaps not in the highest-paying careers, are not worthy contributors, and the only value that we have is our U.S. birth? This goes against some of the most important values of this country. Immigrants have more to contribute than just money.

— Thomas Lockard, Galloway
Originally published in the Columbus Dispatch