U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney touts Canadian immigration policy

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Miami Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney praised Canada's immigration laws saying the U.S. should study this country's policies.

Romney outlined a point system that could be used for immigrants to obtain citizenship — earning points for graduating high school, speaking English, or having family in the United States.

"I understand that Canada and Australia have policies that work pretty well," he said without specifically endorsing the policy.

"You decide what are the attributes that you're looking for, and you provide points on that basis. And people can then go on the web and see where they are, and how many people are ahead of them."

In a handful of countries including Canada, Austalia and the U.K., skilled worker or professional class immigrants are judged on a point system whereby values are assigned to attributes deemed essential.

In Canada, potential immigrants are awarded points for education, age, adaptability, language skills, work experience and employment.

American supporters of such a system argue it would make their country more competitive in a global economy by admitting people with skills needed in the workplace — people who might otherwise go to work for foreign companies.

Romney, however, may be wise to do his homework before following Canada's lead.

Toronto immigration lawyer Howard Greenberg told the New York Times Canada's experience shows the risks of relying too heavily on a point system.

"A candidate can succeed under the Canadian point system without having a job offer," Greenberg said.

"As a result, we have some professionals, like doctors, who perform low-skill occupations such as driving taxis."

(Reuters Photo)