Trump introduces “Gold Card” program - Expedited visas at a cost of $1 million
President Donald Trump's administration has officially introduced the "Trump Gold Card" visa program, which offers foreigners a fast track to obtaining residency in the United States, but at a very high price.
The official Trumpcard.gov website, which includes an “apply now” button, allows applicants to pay a $15,000 fee to the Department of Homeland Security for expedited processing. After background checks and security checks, applicants must make a “contribution” of $1 million to receive the visa, similar to a Green Card, that gives them the right to live and work in the United States.
“It’s basically a Green Card, but much better, much more powerful, a much stronger path,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “The process is very important. It has to be great people,” he added.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said about 10,000 people had pre-registered and that he expected many more in the coming months. “Over time, we expect to sell thousands of cards and raise billions of dollars,” Lutnick said.
He emphasized that the Gold Card program would bring people to the U.S. who would improve the economy. According to Lutnick, "average" Green Card holders earn less than Americans and are more likely to receive government assistance.
The Trump administration has taken a hard line on immigration, deporting hundreds of thousands of people who were in the country illegally and restricting legal immigration. The new program is seen as a profitable counterweight to that policy, a way to bring revenue to the U.S. Treasury. Trump has used the same strategy to justify and defend trade tariffs.
Lutnick also announced that there is also a corporate version of the Gold Card, which allows companies to obtain expedited visas for their employees, in return for a contribution of $2 million for each employee.
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