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| Trump’s Golden Card A $5 Million Pathway to U.S. Citizenship Sparks Debate |
On February 25, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled a bold and controversial immigration initiative from the Oval Office: a “Golden Card” visa program that would allow wealthy foreigners to secure U.S. residency—and potentially citizenship—for a hefty price tag of $5 million. The announcement, made during an unrelated event and expanded upon in subsequent statements, has ignited a firestorm of reactions, ranging from enthusiastic support to sharp skepticism. Touted as a means to attract “world-class” investors, create jobs, and reduce the national debt, the Golden Card proposal represents a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy—one that raises profound questions about equity, legality, and economic impact. As of February 27, 2025, the details remain sparse, but the proposal’s implications are already reverberating across political, economic, and social spheres.
The Genesis of the Golden Card
Trump’s announcement came unexpectedly during a press interaction in the Oval Office, where he was joined by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump declared. “You have a green card. This is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.” The president framed the initiative as a win-win: a way to bring in “productive people” who would invest in the U.S. economy while generating revenue to tackle the federal deficit, which hit $1.83 trillion in the last fiscal year according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
The Golden Card is positioned as a replacement for the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program, which allows foreign investors to obtain green cards by investing between $800,000 and $1.05 million in U.S. projects that create at least 10 jobs. Trump and Lutnick criticized the EB-5 as “low-priced” and plagued by inefficiencies, delays, and fraud. Lutnick, in particular, emphasized that the Golden Card would target “wonderful world-class global citizens” who would undergo rigorous vetting. Trump suggested the program could launch within two weeks, claiming it wouldn’t require congressional approval because it falls short of granting citizenship outright—an assertion that has drawn immediate scrutiny from legal experts.
A Global Context: Golden Visas Around the World
The concept of a “golden visa”—offering residency or citizenship in exchange for significant financial investment—is not new. More than 100 countries, including Portugal, Malta, Canada, and New Zealand, have implemented similar programs with varying degrees of success. Portugal’s Golden Visa, for instance, grants permanent residency for a €500,000 ($524,000) investment, while Caribbean nations like Grenada offer citizenship for as little as $150,000. At $5 million, Trump’s Golden Card would be among the priciest in the world, surpassing even high-end programs in New Zealand and Singapore, which cater to ultra-wealthy individuals seeking powerful passports and global mobility.
Proponents argue that such programs stimulate economic growth by attracting capital and talent. Trump echoed this sentiment, stating, “The people that can pay $5 million, they’re going to create jobs. It’s going to sell like crazy. It’s a bargain.” He estimated that selling 1 million Golden Cards could generate trillions of dollars, a figure Lutnick later adjusted to $1 trillion for 200,000 cards—still an ambitious projection. Critics, however, point to mixed results elsewhere. In Australia and the UK, high-priced golden visa programs have historically attracted fewer than 1,000 applicants annually, according to Kristin Surak, author of The Golden Passport: Global Mobility for Millionaires. This raises doubts about the feasibility of Trump’s lofty revenue goals.
Economic Promises and Hidden Perks
The Golden Card’s economic rationale hinges on the idea that wealthy investors will pour money into the U.S., boosting job creation and tax revenue. Trump suggested that American companies could use the program to retain top talent, particularly foreign graduates from U.S. universities, such as those from India. “These companies can go and buy a gold card, and they can use it as a matter of recruitment,” he said during a Cabinet meeting on February 26. This angle has sparked interest among some business leaders, who see it as a workaround for the uncertain immigration status of skilled workers under current visa systems.
A lesser-discussed but significant detail emerged on February 27: the Golden Card could include a tax loophole. Trump reportedly indicated that cardholders would not be subject to taxes on their overseas income—a benefit unavailable to most American citizens. This provision, if enacted, would sweeten the deal for the global elite, potentially drawing billionaires and oligarchs seeking to shield their wealth. Critics, including immigration advocates and tax policy experts, have decried this as a giveaway to the ultra-rich, exacerbating wealth inequality at a time when many Americans struggle with economic insecurity.
Legal and Political Hurdles
Despite Trump’s confidence, the Golden Card’s path to implementation is far from clear. Immigration policy in the U.S. is primarily a congressional prerogative, and the EB-5 program, which the Golden Card would replace, was reauthorized by Congress in 2022 through September 2027. Legal experts question whether Trump can unilaterally dismantle EB-5 and establish a new visa category without legislative approval. “The president can influence immigration enforcement, but he alone cannot change citizenship or immigration law,” noted a Forbes analysis on February 27. Even with a Republican-controlled Congress, passing a new immigration initiative could face resistance from lawmakers who support EB-5’s job-creation record or oppose preferential treatment for the wealthy.
The proposal’s timing—amid Trump’s broader push for mass deportation and stricter border controls—adds another layer of complexity. During his first term and campaign, Trump took a hardline stance against undocumented migration, yet he has consistently advocated for legal immigration of “high-quality” individuals. The Golden Card aligns with this vision but risks alienating his base, some of whom view it as a “pay-to-play” scheme that undermines merit-based immigration principles.
Who Benefits? Speculation and Controversy
One of the most eyebrow-raising moments of the announcement came when Trump was asked whether Russian oligarchs could qualify for the Golden Card. “Yeah, possibly,” he replied, adding, “I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.” The comment, delivered with a hint of levity, fueled speculation about the program’s intended beneficiaries. Trump’s past business dealings with wealthy foreigners, coupled with his reluctance to disclose financial ties, have led some to wonder if the Golden Card could serve as a backdoor for his associates—or even a personal revenue stream. While no evidence supports such claims, the opacity of the proposal has invited scrutiny.
Commerce Secretary Lutnick, defending the plan on February 27, claimed that “250,000 people are waiting in line” for visas that the Golden Card could replace. Yet, with no application process yet in place, this figure appears speculative at best. The lack of concrete details—about eligibility, vetting, or how funds would be allocated—has left observers questioning whether the program is a serious policy or a headline-grabbing stunt.
Implications for the American Dream
For many, the Golden Card represents a stark departure from the traditional narrative of the American Dream as a reward for hard work and perseverance. “This is citizenship for sale,” argued an immigration expert quoted by The Washington Post. At $5 million, the program is inaccessible to all but the world’s richest individuals, potentially deepening the perception of a two-tiered system where wealth trumps merit. Indian students and professionals, often cited as beneficiaries via corporate sponsorship, may find the price tag prohibitive unless companies foot the bill—a scenario Trump alluded to but did not clarify.
The abrupt shift from EB-5 could also disrupt existing investors. Hundreds of EB-5 applicants, who invested lesser amounts under the current program, risk being left in limbo if it’s scrapped. This has drawn criticism from immigration attorneys who see the Golden Card as a viable concept in theory but poorly planned in practice. “In theory, it can really work because the EB-5 program works,” San Diego-based attorney Saman Nasseri told NewsNation. “But the devil is in the details.”
Public Reaction and Future Outlook
Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X and early media coverage, is sharply divided. Supporters hail the Golden Card as a pragmatic way to bolster the economy and reward investment, with some calling it a “genius move” by Trump. Detractors, meanwhile, decry it as elitist and unfeasible, with one X user quipping, “$5M for a visa? Guess I’ll just stay broke and American.” The proposal’s rollout, expected within two weeks of February 25, will be a critical test of its viability. If implemented, it could reshape U.S. immigration policy for decades; if it falters, it may join a long list of Trump’s bold but unrealized ideas.
As of February 27, 2025, the Golden Card remains a lightning rod—a symbol of ambition, inequality, and the unpredictable nature of Trump’s second term. Whether it proves to be a golden opportunity or a gilded mirage, its legacy will depend on the administration’s ability to navigate the legal, political, and ethical minefield ahead. For now, the world watches as Trump’s latest gambit unfolds, one $5 million card at a time.
