'GOLD CARD': President Trump announces the US will be selling $5,000,000 "gold cards," which will provide a way for wealthy and successful people to enter the country legally.
Trump Announces $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Foreigners, Replacing EB-5 Visa Program
By Profile International Human Rights Advocate
In a bold move reshaping U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the introduction of a "gold card" program, allowing wealthy foreigners to purchase the right to live and work in the United States for a $5 million fee. The announcement, made by the Oval Office, signals a significant departure from the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, which has been a point of controversy for years.
"We’re going to be selling a gold card," Trump declared. "You have a green card. This is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.”
The administration aims to launch sales within two weeks, with Trump suggesting that millions of such cards could be sold. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who stood alongside Trump during the announcement, clarified that the new initiative would replace the EB-5 visa program. "They’ll have to go through vetting, of course," Lutnick said, "to make sure they’re wonderful world-class global citizens."
Replacing the EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 program, established in 1992, allowed foreign investors to gain a green card by investing a minimum of $1,050,000—or $800,000 in distressed economic areas—into U.S. projects that create jobs. Trump’s new initiative dramatically increases the cost and shifts the approach from job creation to direct financial contribution.
During his first term, Trump’s administration attempted to increase EB-5 investment requirements, but a federal judge blocked the move in 2021. The Biden administration later renewed the program in 2022, maintaining the updated investment thresholds.
Potential Controversy and Global Impact
Trump’s proposal raises significant ethical and policy questions, including concerns about favoring the ultra-wealthy while sidelining traditional pathways to immigration. When asked whether Russian oligarchs could purchase the gold card, Trump replied, “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
This new immigration model further cements the Trump administration’s approach of prioritizing economic contributions over humanitarian or merit-based immigration. Critics argue that such a system could increase global inequalities in access to U.S. residency while benefiting the financial elite.
The world now watches as the U.S. prepares to implement one of the most expensive legal pathways to citizenship in modern history. Whether this plan will survive legislative scrutiny and public debate remains to be seen.
Trump Announces $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Foreigners, Replacing EB-5 Visa Program
By Profile International Human Rights Advocate
In a bold move reshaping U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the introduction of a "gold card" program, allowing wealthy foreigners to purchase the right to live and work in the United States for a $5 million fee. The announcement, made by the Oval Office, signals a significant departure from the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, which has been a point of controversy for years.
"We’re going to be selling a gold card," Trump declared. "You have a green card. This is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.”
The administration aims to launch sales within two weeks, with Trump suggesting that millions of such cards could be sold. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who stood alongside Trump during the announcement, clarified that the new initiative would replace the EB-5 visa program. "They’ll have to go through vetting, of course," Lutnick said, "to make sure they’re wonderful world-class global citizens."
Replacing the EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 program, established in 1992, allowed foreign investors to gain a green card by investing a minimum of $1,050,000—or $800,000 in distressed economic areas—into U.S. projects that create jobs. Trump’s new initiative dramatically increases the cost and shifts the approach from job creation to direct financial contribution.
During his first term, Trump’s administration attempted to increase EB-5 investment requirements, but a federal judge blocked the move in 2021. The Biden administration later renewed the program in 2022, maintaining the updated investment thresholds.
Potential Controversy and Global Impact
Trump’s proposal raises significant ethical and policy questions, including concerns about favoring the ultra-wealthy while sidelining traditional pathways to immigration. When asked whether Russian oligarchs could purchase the gold card, Trump replied, “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
This new immigration model further cements the Trump administration’s approach of prioritizing economic contributions over humanitarian or merit-based immigration. Critics argue that such a system could increase global inequalities in access to U.S. residency while benefiting the financial elite.
The world now watches as the U.S. prepares to implement one of the most expensive legal pathways to citizenship in modern history. Whether this plan will survive legislative scrutiny and public debate remains to be seen.
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