is this actually the case? i wasn't under the impression that there was any budgetary reason for quotas
The immigration process consumes government time, resources, and in effect, money. USCIS is working on a budget as every other government agency. Prefiltering applications for residency and setting quotas aids in the conservation of government resources so as to not stretch them so thin.
Initially, however, the Immigration Act of 1924 was created "to preserve the ideal of American homogeneity." In other words, you are right, initially quotas were created in an attempt to limit the entry of certain groups into the country to prevent culture from shifting too dramatically and to allow the incoming migrants to assimilate to "American Culture." The effect they have today, however, is to reduce strain on resources that would otherwise be wasted sifting through mountains of applications, mostly from people that the country would not benefit at all from taking in. A soft deterrent, if you will. Of course, quotas won't deter high achieving individuals from applying, as they likely figure they have a fair chance.
increased human capital = better economy, right? how can we not afford to take in more?
Increased human capital in the unskilled labor sector isn't beneficial to anyone. This is why adhering to strict standards in filtering applications for residency is a good idea. One can ensure that an even mix of educated folks/those in a skilled trade can come through, along with very small numbers of unskilled laborers.
i mean, if they manage to get their way here, absolutely
if someone isn't harmful to society then introducing them into it can only benefit
anyways i don't get why you think that we don't already have this happening without the extra unnecessary and unfair constraints that RAISE adds
Filtering applications for residency and citizenship isn't unfair. That's like saying it's unfair that Ivy League schools expect applicants to be high achieving with a well-balanced life and don't accept 1.5 GPA students.
High standards aren't inherently unjust. Immigration is a privilege, not a right.