President Trump has revealed a plan to sell $5 million “gold cards” to wealthy foreigners, granting them legal US residency with a pathway to citizenship. The initiative, which Trump calls “green card privileges-plus,” is expected to replace the EB-5 visa program. The president believes the move will generate massive revenue to help pay down the national debt.
“It’s a road to citizenship for people of wealth or great talent,” Trump said.
He estimates that at least one million cards could be sold, potentially raising trillions of dollars. The proposal has already been approved by administration lawyers and is set to launch within two weeks.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who appeared alongside Trump, confirmed that applicants would undergo strict vetting. “They’ll have to go through screening to ensure they are world-class global citizens,” Lutnick said. He also stated that major companies like Apple could benefit, as they would be able to sponsor top talent.
The gold card program offers financial incentives. Holders will not be taxed on income earned outside the US but will be required to pay full taxes on US earnings if they create jobs in the country. Trump believes wealthy individuals from countries like Russia and India will be eager to buy the cards.
The proposal has sparked controversy. Critics argue it allows the ultra-rich to bypass traditional immigration pathways while middle-class immigrants struggle. Others question whether the plan will pass legal scrutiny or if Congress will need to approve a citizenship pathway.
Trump remains confident. He insists the program is “totally legal” and could be a game-changer for the US economy. “The numbers add up. This could wipe out our national debt,” he said.
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