Washington DC – President Donald Trump has officially launched his highly anticipated “Gold Card” immigration program, a new initiative aimed at fast-tracking U.S. residency and citizenship for wealthy immigrants willing to make significant financial contributions. During a roundtable discussion with business leaders, Trump unveiled the plan, which he described as an unprecedented opportunity for immigrants who can contribute $1 million or more to the U.S. economy.
What is the “Gold Card” immigration scheme?
The newly launched program offers an expedited path to US residency for foreign nationals who are willing to pay a $15,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processing fee, followed by a $1 million contribution to the US government. According to the program’s website, applicants will receive U.S. residency after their background checks are approved, and after five years, they will be eligible to apply for citizenship.
“This is very exciting for me and for the country,” Trump said. “We just launched the Trump Gold Card. About 30 minutes from now, the site goes live, and all the funds go to the United States government.”
Trump described the Gold Card as similar to the Green Card but with “huge advantages”, noting that it would allow businesses to sponsor individuals, including graduates of prestigious universities such as Wharton, Stern Business School, Harvard, and MIT, to remain in the United States.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was present at the announcement, emphasized the potential financial benefits of the program. “This could generate billions of dollars for the US treasury,” he said. He said applicants would have to go through an intensive vetting process before becoming eligible for citizenship after five years.
Trump’s immigration plan amid controversies
The announcement of the Gold Card program comes amid increasing scrutiny of President Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his administration’s stance on asylum seekers and ongoing mass deportations. Last month, following the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington DC, Trump proposed a temporary suspension on asylum applications and other immigration measures.
The President’s Gold Card scheme has been introduced as a way to attract foreign investment into the country, but critics have expressed concerns over its potential to further widen economic inequalities. Some have argued that the program caters to the wealthy elite while bypassing traditional immigration routes for less affluent individuals.
Trump’s controversial comments on immigration
Trump’s comments during the announcement also drew reaction. At a separate event, the President was criticized for his comments regarding immigration from some countries, including Somalia. He said, “Why can’t we take some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few? Let us take some people from Denmark. Do you mind sending us some people? Send us some good people. But we always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Dirty, filthy, disgusting, crime-ridden.”
His comments were in stark contrast to the message behind the Gold Card program, which aims to attract high-net-worth individuals from around the world. Critics argue that Trump’s rhetoric on immigration undermines efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive immigration system.
What happens next for the “Gold Card” program?
Despite criticism, the Trump administration is moving forward on the Gold Card initiative. As the program begins accepting applications, the US government hopes to attract substantial financial contributions from wealthy immigrants and business investors, with the goal of stimulating the economy.
In the coming months, it remains to be seen how successful the Gold Card program will be in terms of attracting investment and what its long-term impact will be on the broader immigration landscape in the US.
a divisive issue
The “Gold Card” immigration plan is the latest in a series of controversial immigration measures introduced by President Trump. While supporters argue that the program will bring much-needed investment to the American economy, critics see it as a policy that prioritizes the wealthy while sidelining the needs of working-class immigrants and refugees.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
