President Trump unveiled a premium “Gold Card” visa program priced at $5 million, offering wealthy immigrants an exclusive pathway to U.S. citizenship while potentially generating billions in revenue for the federal government.
The President is creating new ways other countries to make America rich again.
At a Glance
- Trump’s “Gold Card” program offers enhanced green card privileges for immigrants willing to pay $5 million
- The initiative aims to replace the EB-5 visa program, which has been plagued by fraud concerns
- Funds collected would go directly to the U.S. government, potentially helping reduce the national deficit
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described recipients as “wonderful world-class global citizens”
- The program is expected to launch within two weeks, potentially without requiring Congressional approval
Premium Pathway to American Citizenship
President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced a brand new idea to make America rich: to use ultra-wealthy foreigners as part of an America-first investment and growth strategy. The new “Gold Card” program represents a significant departure from traditional immigration pathways, requiring participants to make a substantial $5 million investment in exchange for expedited citizenship opportunities. And while Democrats freak out along with the media, the truth is that nobody has ever tried anything as ambitious as this before – and it could result in huge revenue spikes for the U.S. economy.
Unlike the existing green card, this premium option offers enhanced benefits targeted at high-net-worth individuals who can make immediate financial contributions to the American economy.
During the announcement on Wednesday, Trump emphasized the economic advantages of welcoming wealthy immigrants. The program is designed to attract individuals who will stimulate economic growth through significant spending, tax contributions, and job creation. This approach aligns with the administration’s focus on merit-based immigration that prioritizes economic contributions over other traditional immigration criteria.
Replacing the Troubled EB-5 Program
The Gold Card initiative is positioned as a replacement for the existing EB-5 visa program, which has long faced criticism for fraud and inefficiency. EB-5 visas currently provide green cards to immigrant investors who meet certain investment thresholds, but the program has suffered from administrative challenges and concerns about exploitation. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick directly addressed this intended transition in recent statements.
“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,” Howard Lutnick said.
Unlike the existing EB-5 program, which directs investments to specific business ventures, the Gold Card program would channel funds directly to the federal government. This represents a significant departure that could potentially generate substantial revenue while simplifying the investment structure. The administration has indicated they will be selective about participants, focusing on individuals who align with American values and economic interests.
The economic implications of the Gold Card program could be substantial if the administration achieves its ambitious sales targets. Trump has suggested the government could sell a million or more Gold Cards, which would translate to trillions of dollars in revenue. While this estimate appears optimistic, even a fraction of this target would represent a significant funding stream that could help address budget concerns and reduce the federal deficit.
“We’re gonna be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We’re gonna be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that’s gonna give you green card privileges plus,” President Donald Trump said.
Lutnick further elaborated on the administration’s vision for the caliber of immigrants they hope to attract through this premium program. The selective nature of the program emphasizes that participants must be more than merely wealthy – they should contribute meaningfully to American society and economy. This approach reflects the administration’s view that immigration policy should prioritize individuals who bring substantial economic benefits to the country.
“We’re going to make sure they’re wonderful world-class global citizens,” Howard Lutnick added.
All of a sudden the Democrats don’t like immigration, huh?
