Be intelligent, know the history of United States and have a good command of the English language if you want a US visa - Trump proposed

US president, Donald Trump has outlined his new immigration policy, which would prioritise “totally brilliant” immigrants and require English and US history tests.

Trump, speaking from the Rose Garden, on Thursday said his plan aims to create a “fair, modern and lawful system of immigration for the United States.”

It’s about time, he said.

The latest effort, spearheaded by Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, focuses on beefing up border security and rethinking the nation’s green card system so that it would favour people with high-level skills, degrees and job offers instead of relatives of those already in the country.

According to him, right now the US immigration laws “discriminate against genius” and “discriminate against brilliance” because most of the green cards are given to low-skilled people who would make low wages.

Under the plan, the country would award the same number of green cards as it now does. But far more would go to exceptional students, professionals and people with high-level and vocational degrees. Factors such as age, English language ability and employment offers would also be considered.

Far fewer green cards would be given to people with relatives already in the U.S. Fifty-seven per cent would be awarded on merit as opposed to the current 12 per cent.

Trump said as part of a proposal for radical overhaul of immigration requirements, applicants would have to learn English and basic facts about US history and society.

They will be “required to learn English and to pass a civics exam prior to admission,” Trump said.

The plan is not yet embraced by his own party — let alone Democrats — and faces an uphill battle in Congress.

Our plan will transform America’s immigration system into the pride of our nation and the envy of the modern world, Trump said at the White House.