Thu Feb 27 06:43:50 UTC 2025: ## Trump Proposes $5 Million “Gold Card” Visa for US Citizenship

**Washington, D.C. –** President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial plan Wednesday to introduce a $5 million “gold card” visa offering a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship. Trump confidently predicted the program would be a massive success, stating it would “sell like crazy” and generate trillions of dollars in revenue to help reduce the national debt.

The proposed program, which would replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program, would allow wealthy individuals to purchase their way to residency and potentially citizenship. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick cited flaws in the oversight and execution of the EB-5 program as justification for the replacement. While similar “golden visa” programs exist in other countries, Trump asserted that the U.S. is uniquely positioned to profit from such an initiative due to its desirability as an immigration destination.

Although Congress ultimately determines U.S. citizenship qualifications, Trump claimed the gold card program would not require congressional approval. He envisioned the program attracting wealthy and successful individuals who would contribute significantly to the U.S. economy through taxes and job creation. While he suggested the program may have some restrictions on individuals, not countries, he offered no specifics regarding vetting processes or potential limitations.

The announcement has sparked immediate debate. Critics are raising concerns about potential fraud and the program’s implications for immigration policy. The existing EB-5 program has faced scrutiny for fraud risks, and a 2022 law introduced reforms to address these concerns. Trump’s proposal, however, offered little detail on job creation requirements, a key element of the EB-5 program. He suggested the government could sell as many as 10 million gold cards.

The plan represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, raising questions about fairness, access, and the potential for exploitation. The details of the vetting process and any limitations on applicant nationalities remain unclear.

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