President Trump’s $5 million Gold Card visa program is about to launch, with 250,000 wealthy foreigners already lined up to buy their way into American permanent residency.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration’s “Gold Card” program offering permanent U.S. residency for a $5 million investment will launch within weeks via trumpcard.gov
- If 200,000 people purchase the card, the program could generate $1 trillion to help pay down the U.S. national debt
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is aggressively promoting the program, describing it as “a green card, but better and more sophisticated.”
- The program faces potential legal challenges as it may require congressional approval to bypass established immigration quotas
- Critics argue that the focus should be on attracting skilled talent rather than solely wealthy individuals
Trump’s Gold Card Program: A Bold Immigration Innovation
The Trump administration is finalizing the launch of its innovative “Gold Card” program, which offers permanent U.S. residency to foreign investors willing to invest $5 million. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that trumpcard.gov, the official website for this initiative, will be live within days for potential applicants to register their interest. This program represents a major shift in American immigration policy, prioritizing high-net-worth individuals who can make substantial financial contributions to the U.S. economy while creating a streamlined path to citizenship for those with significant resources.
“The website for the Trump administration’s new ‘gold card’ program, which will offer U.S. permanent residency for a $5 million investment, will launch within a week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Wednesday at an Axios Building the Future event in Washington,” stated Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Economic Benefits and Ambitious Goals
The Gold Card program’s economic potential is substantial, with Administration officials projecting that if 200,000 wealthy individuals purchase the card, it could generate an impressive $1 trillion in revenue. This influx of capital would significantly help address America’s mounting national debt while attracting successful entrepreneurs and investors who can create jobs and business opportunities for American citizens. The program offers additional benefits beyond residency, including potential tax exemptions on overseas income, making it particularly attractive to international business leaders seeking a foothold in the United States.
“This is for people who can help America pay off its debt. Why wouldn’t you want a Plan B that says? God forbid something bad happens, you come to the airport in America and the person in immigration says, ‘Welcome home,'” stated Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Marketing to the Global Elite
Secretary Lutnick has been aggressively promoting the Gold Card program both domestically and internationally. He shared an anecdote about pitching the program during a dinner in the Middle East, highlighting the global appeal of this investment opportunity. The administration has positioned the card as more sophisticated than the traditional green card, targeting individuals who not only have substantial wealth but also the business acumen to contribute meaningfully to the American economy. With 250,000 applicants reportedly already interested, the program appears poised for a successful launch.
“All that will come over a matter of the next weeks, not months, weeks,” Lutnick said. “Everyone I meet who’s not an American is going to want to buy the card if they have the fiscal capacity,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Legal Challenges and Program Scrutiny
Despite its potential benefits, the Gold Card program may face legal hurdles as it appears to operate outside established immigration quotas. Critics argue that congressional approval may be necessary for such a significant deviation from existing immigration frameworks. The current EB-5 program, which requires a lower investment threshold and job creation for American workers, could be undermined by this new initiative. Some lawmakers, including Republican Senator Rand Paul, have expressed concerns about replacing established visa programs with this new approach.
“Any immigration benefit draws fraud. People are willing to do anything and say just about anything to come to the US,” Lora Ries told Fox News Digital.
Balancing Merit and Wealth in Immigration Policy
The Gold Card program reflects President Trump’s broader immigration strategy, which aims to simultaneously crack down on illegal immigration while creating new pathways for high-value legal immigrants. While the administration emphasizes the economic benefits of attracting wealthy individuals, critics argue that immigration policy should focus more on skills and merit rather than simply the ability to pay. Secretary Lutnick has addressed these concerns by assuring that all applicants will undergo rigorous vetting to ensure they will genuinely contribute to America’s economic growth and prosperity.
“In March, Trump said the Gold Card would go on sale “very, very soon,” explaining it would be like a green card, “but better and more sophisticated.” He said the newest path to citizenship in the U.S. would allow the “most successful job-creating people from all over the world to buy a path to citizenship.
As the Gold Card program prepares to launch, it represents a bold experiment in immigration policy that prioritizes economic contribution and investment potential. Whether this approach will successfully navigate the complex legal landscape of U.S. immigration law remains to be seen, but it demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to innovative solutions that prioritize America’s economic interests while maintaining strict control over who receives the privilege of American residency.
