If You Can Afford $5 Million, President Trump Wants You

 

President Donald J. Trump has introduced a new "Gold Card" program, offering permanent U.S. residency to foreigners who invest $5 million. The initiative was announced with the launch of a registration website, trumpcard.gov, where interested applicants can submit their details.

The Gold Card is designed as a premium alternative to the existing EB-5 investor visa, which requires a smaller investment and job creation. Unlike the EB-5, the new program reportedly does not require applicants to create jobs in the United States. President Trump claims that this program can be implemented without congressional approval, as it grants permanent residency rather than citizenship.

Immigration attorneys have reported substantial interest from wealthy individuals in countries such as India, Pakistan, Egypt, Russia, and Canada, with some clients viewing the $5 million price as reasonable. However, the program has drawn criticism for favoring the ultra-wealthy while the administration pursues deportations of lower-income immigrants. Critics argue that the Gold Card amounts to "citizenship for sale" and question the ethics of selling residency in this manner.

President Trump has stated that the Gold Card could generate trillions in revenue and help reduce the national debt, suggesting the sale of up to one million cards. Immigration experts, however, believe these projections are unrealistic and expect sales to be much lower. The Gold Card is intended to replace the EB-5 program, which has faced longstanding criticism for fraud and abuse, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick describing the EB-5 as "full of nonsense, make believe, and fraud".