Unlocking Opportunity: How Trump’s $5 Million Gold Card Fast-Tracks Wealthy Investors to U.S. Residency

Lawyers are getting calls from wealthy foreigners curious about a new opportunity: the “Gold Card.” This card acts like a luxury green card, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without the usual red tape. The price? A hefty $5 million. But for many of these jet-setters, that’s just pocket change.

Matthew Kolken, an immigration lawyer in New York, notes that for some clients, $5 million is like the cost of jet fuel. Many believe this card is a steal when you consider the time and hassle it saves. “They can essentially buy their way into the U.S. with the swipe of a credit card,” he explains.

Interest in the Gold Card spans across countries, with clients from India, Pakistan, Egypt, and even Russia reaching out. The appeal lies in the promise of quicker permanent residency and favorable tax benefits—taxed only on U.S. income. “They picture VIP perks, like fast-track airport lanes and easy loans,” says attorney Mona Shah.

However, the specifics of these perks remain vague. President Trump has touted the Gold Card as groundbreaking, claiming it will attract wealthy individuals who will contribute economically. Despite this, many immigration experts doubt the program’s potential success. They predict only a few thousand sales instead of the millions Trump envisions.

Darren Silver, another immigration lawyer, shares that once clients realize the Gold Card is more of a donation than an investment—offering no return—they often lose interest. “They’re basically giving the U.S. government $5 million without any benefits,” he says. Such programs have had mixed results in other countries too, with many ending due to various complications.

Kate Hooper from the Migration Policy Institute emphasizes the risks, noting past issues with similar programs, like attracting individuals with questionable backgrounds. Trump claims that applicants will undergo thorough vetting, yet concerns remain about who could qualify.

Some supporters argue that bringing in wealth can benefit everyone. Stephen Moore, a former Trump advisor, believes this could be a smart revenue solution without raising taxes for citizens. “We can welcome both the struggling and the wealthy,” he asserts.

John Lettieri, a think tank leader, sees the Gold Card as a possible shift towards a merit-based immigration system, which could help the U.S. retain top talent globally. He believes that this arrangement benefits the economy significantly.

Legal questions also cloud the Gold Card’s future. Critics argue that Trump may not have the authority to implement such a program without Congressional approval, although he insists it’s legal since it relates only to residency, and not citizenship.

Meanwhile, as the wealthy debate the pros and cons, social media is having fun with the concept. On X, one user quipped that for just $4 million, she could help a rich foreigner move to America by marrying him, poking fun at the Gold Card’s high cost.

In a world where immigration is a hot topic, the Gold Card raises important questions about how wealth and status intertwine with opportunity. The back-and-forth continues, revealing how the landscape of immigration is evolving in the U.S.

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