Trump Finally Rolls Out His Immigration “Gold Card”
Continuing his promise to ensure that only the best of the best of foreign talent comes to the US, President Trump has rolled out his much anticipated – and somewhat controversial – “immigration Gold Card.”
Discussing the launch of the program, Trump told reporters at the White House that it would function “somewhat like a green card” letting foreigners become instantly eligible for permanent residency status to work in America.
Individuals have to pay $1 million to US Treasury coffers, while companies will have to fork over $2 million to keep employees.
Regardless of the cash, the Department of Homeland Security will still conduct a background check on all applicants to make sure they are qualified. After five years, any gold card-carrying permanent resident can apply for full citizenship.
“THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people,” the president later posted on his Truth Social, sharing a link to the website for applicants.
“SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent. Live Site opens in 30 minutes!”
The card purchases are revamping the backlogged and cumbersome EB-5 visa program that had awarded permanent legal status to foreigners who invest up to $1 million in US businesses.
As many as 250,000 foreigners were still waiting for their approvals as part of that program as of February this year.
Congress authorized the visa program in 1990 to place investments of differing levels based on the region of the US. Some rural areas only required around $800,000 as opposed to $1 million.
The foreign investors also had to show they could create at least 10 American jobs with the funds.
Just 135,518 EB-5 visas have been issued in its 25-year history, according to data from the Invest In the USA trade association.
Trump expects that “hundreds of billions of dollars” in revenue could result, and he says top business leaders like Apple’s Tim Cook have celebrated the gold card solution.
Originally set at a a $5 million price tag, the card has also been touted by Trump and his officials as a way of balancing the federal budget with more revenue.
“There’s a line for EB-5 of 250,000 right now. 200,000 of these gold green cards [at $5 million] is $1 trillion to pay down our debt,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in February.
The nation’s debt currently stands at more than $38 trillion.
Reminds me of the time I did presales for a hot product and extrapolated day-one sales to EOY; I was rich, rich, rich. Never happened. Sales were good, but not that good.
I am just not sure I would pay $1M to work anywhere. Certainly not in Trumpistan where you can be deported to death camps just for being brown while walking down the street. And $2M; better get an indentured servant for that.
In March, Lutnick claimed1,000 sold in a day for $5 billion, but by late 2025, reports from the Treasury showed no revenues booked. He lied and probably will lie again. So far, no news on take rate, but obviously, can’t trust Lutnick not to lie again.
Somehow I find putting a bounty on coming to America not in tune or in touch with getting the best-of-the-best. All things being equal, if you could find a place close in QoL as the USA, without a bounty, would you pay to stay or just go to the free country? Does not seem competitive.
Did Trump really put his name on the card: shameless. Do you how much it costs to change that once he leaves? Hate when governors do that on the highway signs too. Waste of taxpayer dollars for their vanity.
I expect we get less talent, more drug kingpins and the like, from this. And certainly won’t pay down any debt, not at the way these fools spend..
More stupidity from Dunger. Bwaaaaaa!!!! What an idiot.
Willie, have a great day. Thanks for the comments. Keep reading. I guess we are all idiots, in our own ways.