Trump’s $5M ‘Gold Card’ for the Wealthy—A VIP Pass to America?
In a move that has the political world buzzing, former President Donald Trump announced a controversial new plan: selling a “gold card” to ultra-wealthy foreigners, granting them the right to live and work in the U.S.—with a fast track to citizenship—for a staggering $5 million fee.
The ‘Gold Card’ Concept: A Green Card Upgrade?
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump unveiled his latest immigration proposal, emphasizing its exclusivity. “We’re going to be selling a gold card,” he declared. “You have a green card. This is a gold card. It’s going to give you green card privileges, plus a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.”
The program is set to roll out in just two weeks, with Trump suggesting that “millions” of such cards could be sold, injecting an enormous amount of capital into the U.S. economy. But the announcement has sparked heated debates about what it means for immigration, fairness, and the future of American citizenship.
Replacing the EB-5 Visa: A Game-Changer or Just a Rebrand?
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, standing alongside Trump, confirmed that the gold card would replace the long-standing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. Traditionally, the EB-5 program allowed foreign investors to secure U.S. visas by investing at least $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in economically distressed areas) in job-creating projects.
Under Trump’s plan, that investment threshold skyrockets to $5 million, while offering a more direct path to citizenship. Lutnick assured that applicants would undergo strict vetting to ensure they are “wonderful world-class global citizens.”
A Free Pass for Oligarchs?
One of the most eyebrow-raising moments came when Trump was asked whether Russian oligarchs would be eligible to buy the gold card. “Yeah, possibly,” he responded. “I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
This remark has already fueled speculation and criticism, with opponents arguing that the plan could open the door for foreign billionaires with questionable backgrounds to gain access to U.S. residency and influence.
The Controversy & Political Fallout
The EB-5 program has faced criticism in the past, even during Trump’s own presidency, for being exploited by investors who fail to create promised jobs or who use it as a backdoor to U.S. citizenship. Trump himself previously moved to tighten restrictions on the program, raising investment minimums before those changes were struck down in court. Now, with the gold card proposal, some see this as a contradiction—or an opportunity to further monetize the American Dream.
Critics argue that the plan turns U.S. residency into a luxury product for the ultra-rich while ignoring hardworking immigrants seeking legal pathways. Supporters, however, hail it as an innovative economic booster that could bring in billions of dollars.
What’s Next?
With just weeks before its launch, details on implementation, eligibility, and legal challenges remain unclear. Will Trump’s gold card reshape U.S. immigration, or will it face the same scrutiny and setbacks as past investor visa programs?
One thing is certain: the political and economic ramifications of this golden ticket will be felt far beyond Washington.
Stay tuned as the debate unfolds!
