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Trump Proposes $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa: A New Path to Citizenship?

 

Trump has a new idea. He calls it the ‘gold card’. For five million dollars, wealthy individuals can gain a path to citizenship. He suggests this replaces the 35-year-old investor visa program, next known as EB-5.

In the Oval Office, Trump leaned into the proposal. It’s designed to attract individuals with resources. ‘They’ll be wealthy and they’ll be successful,’ Trump stated, pointing to the potential economic benefits. But what does this really mean for America?

The gold card offers something unique. It promises legal residency and a way to citizenship. And it comes with a hefty price tag. This move aims to raise funds and stimulates the economy—but at what cost?

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick backed the initiative. He claimed it would eliminate fraud associated with the existing EB-5 program. The EB-5 visa was born in 1990 to attract foreign investment. However, issues of fraud have plagued it. Lutnick suggests the gold card might provide a solution.

The EB-5 program has faced scrutiny. In the previous year, about 8,000 individuals secured visas through it. This program’s goal was to spur job creation. But the new gold card seems to shift focus. What are the real requirements for eligibility?

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump indicated the need for a bold approach. He reminisced about how the federal government could possibly sell 10 million of these cards. ‘It could reduce the deficit’, he mused. The ambition here feels massive but vague. Are there limits to this proposal?

Interestingly, no job creation numbers were mentioned. This raises eyebrows. The EB-5 program had strict requirements on job creation. Now, are we drifting away from those standards?

The concept of a ‘gold card’ isn’t new. Many countries offer similar programs. Nations like the UK, Australia, and Canada have appealing investor visas. They attract wealth while boosting their economies. So, is it time for America to rethink its immigration strategy?

Trump says he will offer 'gold card' visas for $5 million path to  citizenship

Trump painted it as an easy win. More wealth means more taxes, more jobs. But in reality, what does this mean for ordinary citizens? Will the average American benefit from this influx of wealth?

What about family reunification? A common concern for many immigrants. Will the ‘gold card’ consider family members? Or will this become an elite status only, available to some?

One has to wonder about the public’s reaction. Some may welcome the proposal—seeing it as a chance to stimulate the economy. Others may feel that it’s a further widening of the gap between the rich and the poor.

What does the future hold? As citizens, we need to engage with these proposals critically. It’s essential to understand the implications of such immigration policies. Could this really be a path to economic success? Or simply a well-packaged token for the wealthy?

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