The US is issuing 1,000 "Gold Card" visas daily through a controversial programme launched by President Donald Trump, offering a direct route to citizenship for those willing to invest $5 million. The program, introduced in February, is set to replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking on the All-In Podcast, revealed that there are 37 million potential buyers worldwide and that the administration aims to sell one million of these visas. "There are 37 million people in the world who can afford the card... The president believes we can sell a million," Lutnick said. He also noted that billionaire investor John Paulson helped conceptualize the initiative, while Elon Musk is reportedly involved in developing its software infrastructure.
While the program promises to bring in significant revenue for the US, it has sparked controversy. Critics argue that it creates a two-tiered system that prioritizes wealthy individuals, while the administration continues its push to remove undocumented immigrants.
Despite concerns over its implementation, Trump has indicated that the Gold Card visa program will not require congressional approval, positioning it as a key component of his broader immigration strategy.