Trump wants 'best and brightest'

New US immigration plan to change its focus from family to 'skill and merit'

Whether or not his new immigration plan passes Congress, US President Donald Trump seems to have intensified the global race for talent by crafting a system that attracts "the best and brightest" to the country from around the world.

"Only 12 percent of legal immigrants are selected based on skill or based on merit. In countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - and others - that number is closer to 60 and even 70 and 75 percent, in some cases," Trump said on Thursday in a speech unveiling his new immigration plan.