Enhanced EB-5 Visa Program: A More Efficient Approach – One America News Network
OAN Staff Abril Elfi
5:09 PM – Tuesday, February 25, 2025
President Trump revealed plans for the U.S. to potentially offer $5 million “gold cards” granting green-card residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship for affluent or skilled foreigners, estimating that this initiative could significantly lower the national debt by selling one million cards.
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On Tuesday, during an announcement in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his desire to introduce special “gold cards,” an advanced version of the traditional green card, priced at $5 million, aimed at talented, business-oriented foreigners wishing to immigrate to the U.S. to create new job opportunities.
“This is akin to a green card but offers a higher level of sophistication. It serves as a pathway to citizenship for individuals of wealth or exceptional talent,” Trump stated in the Oval Office.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined Trump, emphasizing that the proposed program would serve as a modernized version of the EB-5 visa program established by U.S. law in 1990, which allowed certain investors to obtain a green card by meeting particular criteria.
“We’re establishing a price of approximately $5 million for that card, which will extend green card privileges-plus,” Trump remarked while unveiling the idea.
“These individuals will be wealthy, successful, contributing significantly to the economy through taxes and job creation.”
Lutnick elaborated on the advantages this initiative would present for the United States.
“We’re replacing the outdated EB-5 program with the Trump Gold Card, which truly functions as a green card,” Lutnick clarified. “They can pay $5 million to the U.S. government and will undergo thorough vetting to ensure they are esteemed global citizens.”
Trump asserted that the initiative has received legal approval from the administration and could begin in approximately “two weeks.”
“Companies like Apple, eager to employ top talent, will be able to purchase a card for individuals who excel at elite educational institutions,” Trump added.
“Overall, this program will cater to affluent individuals and job creators. They won’t incur taxes on income generated outside of the U.S., which is a current situation. However, they will be taxed fully if they generate employment within the country.”
“We anticipate the potential to sell around one million of these cards, and the financial figures involved are quite promising.”
“For instance, a million cards equate to $5 trillion. Should we sell ten million cards, it would reach $50 trillion. Given our $35 trillion national debt, this would be a significant improvement. We will see how it unfolds.”
Moreover, Trump ensured that the program is “completely legal” from a legal perspective.
“It offers a robust pathway to citizenship, though the actual granting of citizenship will require congressional approval,” Trump concluded.
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