Trump unveils ‘Gold Card’ programme – $5 million investment for US residency and citizenship

WASHINGTON: Former President Donald Trump announced the launch of a new programme designed to provide residency and a pathway to citizenship for investors willing to pay $5 million.

This initiative comes amid his broader strategy to enforce strict measures against undocumented immigrants. Trump referred to the programme as the “gold card,” and stated it would be introduced within two weeks, asserting that his administration would not require Congressional approval for its implementation.

While the specifics of the plan remain unclear, Trump made his announcement during an executive order signing in the Oval Office, accompanied by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

“We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump declared on Tuesday. “It’s going to have a price tag of about $5 million, which will grant you green card privileges,” he explained, alluding to the permits currently given to US permanent residents.

Lutnick indicated that this new initiative could serve as a replacement for the existing EB-5 programme, which allows immigrant investors to secure green cards by investing a specified amount into a US business. When asked by a reporter whether participants in the gold card programme would need to make a qualifying investment, Lutnick responded affirmatively, suggesting that the funds for the visa might be directly paid to the government.

Trump proposes F-35 fighter jet offer to strengthen US-India defense ties

“The president mentioned that instead of having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we are going to cancel it and replace it with the Trump gold card,” Lutnick stated. He elaborated, “They will be able to pay $5 million to the US government without undergoing the usual vetting process, of course, to ensure they are outstanding global citizens.”

This programme aims to allow these investors to enter America, where they could receive a green card and contribute to investments in the country. Furthermore, Lutnick noted that the government could utilize these funds to help reduce the national deficit.

Despite his recent stringent measures against undocumented migrants, Trump has expressed a commitment to keeping opportunities open for legal immigration to the United States. Throughout his second term, he has increased deportations and intensified efforts to secure the southern US border, even threatening Canada and Mexico with tariffs if they fail to take additional action against the influx of fentanyl, other illegal drugs, and migrants into the US.