Special Poll
President Trump announced Tuesday that his administration plans to introduce a new “Gold Card” program, offering permanent U.S. residency for a $5 million investment. This proposal would effectively replace the existing EB-5 program, which has allowed foreign investors to earn green cards since the 1990s by creating jobs and investing in the U.S. economy.
A Controversial Shift in Immigration Policy
The plan raises serious questions about whether the administration has the authority to eliminate or modify the EB-5 program without congressional approval. Trump, however, insists that this pay-to-stay system will benefit the U.S. economy.
“We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump stated, claiming that wealthy individuals who purchase the card will bring in significant tax revenue, stimulate spending, and create jobs. He suggested that the U.S. could issue at least one million of these “Gold Cards.”
Why Many Conservatives Hate This Plan
This proposal is likely to spark backlash from conservatives, many of whom have long opposed “buying citizenship” in any form. Traditionally, conservative immigration policies have emphasized merit-based entry, strict border control, and economic contributions through work, not wealth alone.
By removing job creation requirements, the Gold Card program makes it easier for wealthy foreigners to gain permanent residency simply by writing a check—something populist conservatives may see as unfair to middle-class Americans who follow traditional legal immigration pathways.
Critics on the right argue that this plan favors the global elite over hardworking immigrants who come to America through the existing legal process. Others worry that it could be exploited by foreign billionaires and corporate interests to gain U.S. residency without true economic engagement.
Trump Needs to Tread Carefully
While Trump is known for prioritizing business-friendly policies, this move could alienate parts of his conservative base, particularly those who have rallied behind his tough-on-immigration stance. Many Trump supporters resent the idea of wealthy elites “buying” their way into America, especially if they aren’t required to create jobs or contribute meaningfully to the country.
This latest move continues a trend in Trump’s second administration, where financial power increasingly overrides traditional immigration and regulatory processes. Previously, he proposed that anyone investing $1 billion in the U.S. would have their permits fast-tracked. Now, with the Gold Card program, he is once again signaling that money talks in his America—but at what political cost?