Trump Announces $5Million 'Gold Card' For Wealthy Immigrants As Route To U.S. Citizenship

February 26, 2025
NEWS

United States President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a new immigration initiative aimed at attracting affluent foreign investors: a "gold card" visa available for $5 million, providing permanent U.S. residency and a pathway to citizenship.

Reuters reports that the program is set to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which has been in place since 1990.

Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump outlined the benefits of the proposed "gold card," emphasizing its potential to draw successful individuals who would contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

"Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card," he stated. "They'll be spending a lot of money, paying a lot of taxes, and employing a lot of people."

The administration plans to implement this program within the next two weeks.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, present during the announcement, criticized the current EB-5 program, describing it as "full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud."

He noted that the "gold card" would raise the investment threshold and streamline the process, aiming to eliminate existing inefficiencies.

"The president said, rather than having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we're going to end the EB-5 program. We're going to replace it with the Trump gold card," Lutnick explained.

The EB-5 program was established to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital, requiring a minimum investment of $1 million, or $800,000 in targeted employment areas, and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

In contrast, the new "gold card" program sets a flat $5 million investment without specifying job creation requirements.

When questioned about the eligibility of individuals such as Russian oligarchs, President Trump acknowledged the possibility, stating, "Yeah, possibly. Hey ... ."

Investor visa programs are not unique to the United States; over 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Canada, offer similar "golden visas" to attract foreign investment.

The administration believes that by increasing the investment requirement, the "gold card" will attract high-caliber investors and reduce potential fraud associated with the previous program.

While Congress traditionally determines qualifications for citizenship, President Trump asserted that the "gold card" would not require congressional approval.

He also suggested that the federal government could sell up to 10 million "gold cards" to help reduce the national deficit, stating, "It could be great, maybe it will be fantastic."

Critics argue that this initiative prioritizes wealth over merit and may not address underlying issues within the immigration system.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential security risks and ethical implications of offering citizenship for a monetary price.

SaharaReporters

malali:
No one with 5 million dollars needs a "gold" card.

The same way you made the 5 million outside the USA, will make you more money.

Even USA makes it iphones and apple products in China.

Because chinese labor is cheaper......

heniford2:
you don't know what your saying bro serious drug lords will even pay more for it so as to have it.... And iPhones are not made in China shia

OLAADEGBU:


Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump outlined the benefits of the proposed "gold card," emphasizing its potential to draw successful individuals who would contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.
-------
Trump Announces $5Million 'Gold Card' For Wealthy Immigrants As Route To U.S. Citizenship

February 26, 2025
NEWS

United States President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a new immigration initiative aimed at attracting affluent foreign investors: a "gold card" visa available for $5 million, providing permanent U.S. residency and a pathway to citizenship.

Reuters reports that the program is set to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which has been in place since 1990.

Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump outlined the benefits of the proposed "gold card," emphasizing its potential to draw successful individuals who would contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

"Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card," he stated. "They'll be spending a lot of money, paying a lot of taxes, and employing a lot of people."

The administration plans to implement this program within the next two weeks.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, present during the announcement, criticized the current EB-5 program, describing it as "full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud."

He noted that the "gold card" would raise the investment threshold and streamline the process, aiming to eliminate existing inefficiencies.

"The president said, rather than having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we're going to end the EB-5 program. We're going to replace it with the Trump gold card," Lutnick explained.

The EB-5 program was established to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital, requiring a minimum investment of $1 million, or $800,000 in targeted employment areas, and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

In contrast, the new "gold card" program sets a flat $5 million investment without specifying job creation requirements.

When questioned about the eligibility of individuals such as Russian oligarchs, President Trump acknowledged the possibility, stating, "Yeah, possibly. Hey ... ."

Investor visa programs are not unique to the United States; over 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Canada, offer similar "golden visas" to attract foreign investment.

The administration believes that by increasing the investment requirement, the "gold card" will attract high-caliber investors and reduce potential fraud associated with the previous program.

While Congress traditionally determines qualifications for citizenship, President Trump asserted that the "gold card" would not require congressional approval.

He also suggested that the federal government could sell up to 10 million "gold cards" to help reduce the national deficit, stating, "It could be great, maybe it will be fantastic."

Critics argue that this initiative prioritizes wealth over merit and may not address underlying issues within the immigration system.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential security risks and ethical implications of offering citizenship for a monetary price.

https://saharareporters.com/2025/02/26/trump-announces-5million-gold-card-wealthy-immigrants-route-us-citizenship

OLAADEGBU:
The United States has reportedly sold 1,000 “immigration gold cards” — special visas offering residency for $5 million each — generating $5 billion in just one week. According to official Howard Lutnick, the money will go toward reducing the $36.2 trillion national debt. A platform is also being developed to speed up background checks for 37 million potential buyers.