Fri May 23 09:50:53 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text from the perspective of “The Hindu,” an Indian newspaper, focused on the implications for potential Indian applicants:

**Headline: Trump Announces ‘Gold Card’ Visa: $5 Million for U.S. Citizenship, Could Attract Indian Investors**

**Washington D.C. – May 23, 2025:** In a move that could reshape U.S. immigration policy, former President Donald Trump has unveiled the “Gold Card” visa program, offering permanent residency and a path to citizenship in exchange for a hefty $5 million investment. The announcement, made at Axios’s ‘Building the Future’ event on May 21, has sparked both excitement and controversy, particularly among those seeking investment-based immigration routes.

The “Gold Card” visa, as detailed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, aims to attract wealthy individuals to contribute to the American economy. The ‘trumpcard.gov’ website, launching next week, will serve as the hub for registration and program information. This program is slated to replace the EB-5 investor visa scheme, but Republican Senator Rand Paul believes that it should not replace the EB-5 program, since a lower investment threshold exists for the EB-5.

While this initiative presents a new avenue for affluent Indians seeking a life in the United States, the high investment threshold is likely to be a significant barrier for many. The previous EB-5 program required a significantly lower investment and included job creation stipulations.

“The ‘Gold Card’ program may be attractive to ultra-high-net-worth individuals in India,” notes one immigration expert, “but its $5 million price tag will exclude a vast majority of potential applicants who might have considered the EB-5 route.”

The legality of the “Gold Card” program is already under scrutiny. Some legal experts question whether the Trump administration has the authority to implement such a sweeping immigration change without Congressional approval. The EB-5 program was reauthorised by President Biden until 2027, so the laws are protected under the U.S. constitution, requiring new legislation through Congress to terminate the EB-5 program.

Despite the legal challenges, the program is generating considerable interest. Reports suggest cards have already been sold in the Middle East. If successful, the Trump administration projects the initiative could generate substantial revenue to aid in reducing the national debt.

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