Trump Announces $5 Million 'Gold Card' Program for Wealthy Immigrants
President Donald Trump, alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, announced a plan to introduce a $5 million “gold card” program aimed at wealthy immigrants, offering them a pathway to U.S. residency and potential citizenship. The initiative, set to launch within two weeks, would replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor program, which currently requires investments of $1 million (or $800,000 in rural or high-unemployment areas) to gain conditional residency. Lutnick emphasized that the new program could generate significant revenue, estimating that 200,000 gold card sales could yield $1 trillion to help pay down the national debt.
The gold card plan would eliminate the job creation requirement of the EB-5 program, allowing companies to hire skilled immigrants directly. Trump highlighted the potential for U.S. companies, such as Apple, to purchase these cards as part of their recruitment strategies, addressing what he termed “brain waste” — the underutilization of skilled immigrants in the workforce. The program would also streamline the application process, reducing the backlog of 250,000 EB-5 visa applicants currently awaiting approval.
While the plan aims to attract wealthy individuals, including potential investors from China and Russia, concerns about corruption and misuse of funds have been raised. Critics warn that such programs could be exploited for money laundering or other illicit activities. Despite these risks, Trump and Lutnick remain optimistic about the program’s potential to balance the federal budget and strengthen the U.S. economy.
How Trump’s $5M ‘gold card’ for rich migrants would work — here are the other nations that have tried it
The plan announced Tuesday would boost the amount of capital required to gain an EB-5 visa.
nypost.com
Trump sees Apple spending millions on 'gold cards' for immigrants
The president said his idea would help America cut down on brain waste as companies hire skilled immigrants out of college
qz.com
VOA60 America - Trump: US to sell $5M ‘gold card’, possibility of citizenship to wealthy immigrants
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants to offer wealthy immigrants “gold cards,” offering to sell them the possibility of citizenship for $5 mil
www.voanews.com
Trump introduces a green card for the rich: the gold card
President Trump says he thinks big companies would use the program to hire foreign students graduating from top U.S. colleges, keeping top talent in A
www.npr.org
Trump examines China's copper production
Trump orders investigation into what administration says is Beijing's move to dominate global copper markets
www.voanews.com