Washington D.C.: In a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a “Gold Card” aimed at wealthy foreigners seeking U.S. residency and work rights.
💵 Key Highlights:
✅ Cost: USD 5 million fee for the card
🛂 Replaces the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program
🔑 Provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship after thorough vetting
📆 Sales to commence in about two weeks
📢 Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified:
🕵️ Applicants will face rigorous vetting
🌍 Program targets “world-class global citizens”
🗣️ Trump’s Remarks:
💬 “From the legal standpoint, it’s totally legal. Millions could be sold,” said Trump.
🇷🇺 When asked about Russian oligarchs, he remarked: “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”
🗺️ Trump also commented on the renamed Gulf of America map:
“I’m just admiring it… getting teary-eyed,” he joked.
📰 In a swipe at the media, Trump called the Associated Press (AP) “radical left” while distributing pamphlets stating:
📄 “Trump was right about everything.”
🛡️ White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt defended the President’s stance, saying:
🗨️ “Questioning the U.S. President is a privilege, not a legal right.”
🌐 Implications:
🔎 The Gold Card program is expected to attract global billionaires seeking U.S. citizenship.
💰 Critics question the ethics of “buying” citizenship, while proponents tout its potential to boost the U.S. economy.
📝 Stay tuned as debate intensifies over this unprecedented immigration initiative!