Trump launches ‘Gold Card’ immigration pathway
Former President Trump on Wednesday launched the "Gold Card" immigration initiative with applications going live, offering U.S. visas starting at $1 million per person and a $15,000 vetting fee, with companies able to obtain multiple cards while each card covers only one individual. Administration officials and Trump framed the program as replacing the EB‑5 visa (without mentioning EB‑5’s job‑creation requirements or caps), with Trump calling it “basically, it’s a green card but much better,” and saying all funds would flow to the U.S. Treasury as officials argued the program will raise incomes of green‑card holders.
📌 Key Facts
- The 'Gold Card' program went live, offering U.S. visas starting at $1 million per person.
- The program has been framed by the AP as replacing the EB‑5 visa; AP noted EB‑5’s job‑creation requirement and cap structure and said Trump made no mention of such requirements or caps for the Gold Card at launch.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the program includes a $15,000 vetting fee and confirmed companies can obtain multiple cards, but each card covers only one individual.
- Lutnick asserted that current green‑card holders earn less than the average American and said the new program aims to change that.
- President Trump said, 'Basically, it’s a green card but much better,' and reiterated that all funds go to the U.S. government, predicting billions would flow into a Treasury account.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the median household income for foreign-born householders was $80,590, compared to $84,490 for native-born householders.
Income in the United States: 2024 — U.S. Census Bureau
In 2024, the median household income for naturalized citizen foreign-born householders was $92,340, while for non-citizen foreign-born householders it was $70,160, compared to $84,490 for native-born householders.
Income in the United States: 2024 — U.S. Census Bureau
In fiscal year 2022, nationals from China, India, and Vietnam comprised more than three-quarters of EB-5 admissions, with China alone representing 56.3% of all EB-5 admissions.
EB-5 visa — Wikipedia
In 2023, more than 80% of immigrants from India had a bachelor's degree or higher.
Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Immigrants often start their U.S. lives at substantially lower earnings but experience faster earnings growth than natives with comparable years of education.
Research on Immigrant Earnings — Social Security Administration
📰 Sources (2)
- AP frames the program as replacing the EB‑5 visa, noting EB‑5’s job‑creation and cap structure and that Trump made no mention of such requirements or caps for the Gold Card at launch.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the vetting fee is $15,000 (confirming cost) and stated companies can obtain multiple cards but each card covers only one individual.
- Lutnick asserted current green‑card holders earn less than the average American and said the new program aims to change that.
- Trump quote: “Basically, it’s a green card but much better,” and he reiterated that all funds go to the U.S. government, predicting billions would flow into a Treasury account.