President Trump’s proposed “gold card” program represents a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy, creating a premium pathway for wealthy foreigners to gain residency. Priced at $5 million per card, this initiative would replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program while offering enhanced privileges compared to traditional green cards[1][4][7].
| Feature | Gold Card | Green Card/EB-5 Visa |
|———————–|————————————|————————————-|
| Cost | $5 million direct payment[1][4] | $800k-$1.05m investment[1][7] |
| Job creation required | No[8][10] | Must create 10+ jobs[1][7] |
| Processing time | Weeks (claimed)[4][10] | 3+ years average[4][7] |
| Program scale | Potential millions of cards[8][10]| Capped at ~18,786 visas annually[10]|
| Citizenship path | Explicitly promised[4][7] | Standard 5-year naturalization[4] |
The gold card eliminates traditional vetting processes, allowing immediate permanent residency without demonstrating business acumen or job creation plans[8][10]. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claims this streamlined approach will reduce fraud compared to the existing EB-5 program[4][7].
– Creates a two-tier immigration system favoring ultra-wealthy[8][10]
– Part of broader immigration reforms including mass deportations and border militarization[2][9]
– Could generate $5 trillion if 1 million cards sell[1][8]
– Critics argue it prioritizes money over merit[7][10]
– Parallels Trump administration efforts to end birthright citizenship and restrict asylum[9]
While supporters frame this as an economic stimulus, opponents warn it could fundamentally alter American values by commodifying citizenship. The program’s launch coincides with aggressive immigration enforcement measures through Project 2025, which seeks to increase deportations 600% while cutting legal immigration pathways[2][5][9].
