Pay $5 Million and Get U.S. Citizenship – Trump’s Bold New Immigration Plan
In a surprising announcement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a new immigration scheme that allows wealthy individuals to obtain U.S. citizenship by purchasing a “Gold Card” for $5 million. This amount, equivalent to approximately ₹43 crore in Indian currency, would provide an expedited path to citizenship, replacing the traditional Green Card system. Trump believes that selling at least 1 million of these cards would generate enough revenue to pay off America’s national debt.
How Will the ‘Gold Card’ Work?
Trump’s plan aims to revamp the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which currently grants Green Cards to investors who contribute to the U.S. economy. However, Trump has criticized the EB-5 system, calling it “flawed, ineffective, and cheap.” He plans to replace it with the premium Gold Card, which will not only grant permanent residency but also serve as a direct route to U.S. citizenship.
During a press briefing, Trump stated: “We are going to sell Gold Cards for $5 million each. It will grant you a Green Card and eventually lead to citizenship. Wealthy individuals will want to come to our country and invest in America.” The official details of this program are expected to be revealed within the next two weeks.
Can Foreign Billionaires Buy U.S. Citizenship? Trump’s Response to Russian Concerns
Trump’s proposal has raised concerns about security and potential foreign influence. When questioned whether this scheme would allow Russian billionaires to acquire U.S. citizenship, Trump responded: “Yes, they can come. I know some Russian billionaires who are very nice people.”
This statement has sparked debate over whether the U.S. should allow citizenship to be purchased, particularly by individuals from countries with geopolitical tensions.
Why is Trump Scrapping the EB-5 Visa?
Trump has criticized the existing EB-5 visa program, which allows investors to obtain a Green Card by investing $900,000 to $1.8 million in U.S. businesses. A U.S. official supporting Trump’s plan remarked: “EB-5 is a bad, foolish, and fraudulent system. It allows people to get Green Cards too cheaply. We are shutting it down.”
Trump’s “pay-for-citizenship” approach has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters argue that it will boost the U.S. economy, while critics warn that it could turn citizenship into a luxury product, accessible only to the ultra-rich.
The Impact of Trump’s Gold Card Program on U.S. Immigration
If implemented, the Gold Card system could drastically alter U.S. immigration policy. Here are some potential impacts:
1. Increased Revenue: Selling 1 million Gold Cards could generate $5 trillion, which Trump claims will be used to clear national debt.
2. Preference for Wealthy Immigrants: This plan prioritizes wealthy individuals over skilled workers or refugees.
3. Abolition of the EB-5 Visa: The current investor visa system would be replaced, making U.S. residency far more expensive.
4. National Security Concerns: Allowing billionaires from any country to buy citizenship could pose risks.
The proposal is expected to spark significant debate in the coming months, especially as Trump continues his political campaign. Whether the Gold Card becomes a reality or remains an ambitious election promise remains to be seen.