Trump signs $1M ‘Gold Card’ green‑card program; 80,000 slots, $15k vetting fee
President Trump signed an executive order launching a $1 million “Gold Card” route to lawful permanent residency, with 80,000 slots and a $15,000 State/DHS vetting fee; a portal (trumpcard.gov) is live, individual applicants can pay $1 million and companies may sponsor at $2 million, with expedited review and background checks. The administration says the program will replace existing employment‑based green‑card categories (including EB‑1 and EB‑2) and has floated a $5 million “Platinum Card” allowing up to 270 days in the U.S. without U.S. tax on foreign income pending congressional approval. In a separate move, Trump imposed a $100,000 annual fee on H‑1B visas to discourage employer reliance, a package critics say sidesteps Congress and will face legal challenges.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"A critical commentary arguing that the administration's pay‑for‑status and donor‑driven initiatives—exemplified by the $1M 'Gold Card' green‑card program—signal an accelerating shift toward plutocratic governance that commodifies citizenship and concentrates political power."
📰 Sources (6)
- Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s explicit statement that the $100,000 H‑1B fee is meant to make H‑1B reliance uneconomic.
- Reference to a new Labor Department directive to revise H‑1B pay rules and a CBO net immigration projection of 400,000 for 2025.
- Confirms administration framing that the 'Gold' and 'Platinum' cards would replace employment‑based visa pathways, including those for professors, scientists, artists and athletes.
- Restates that companies could sponsor an employee for $2 million and that the $5 million 'Platinum Card' would allow up to 270 days in the U.S. without U.S. taxes on non‑U.S. income, with Platinum needing congressional approval.
- Adds a high‑level legal‑risk assessment from Doug Rand that the approach likely faces court challenges for sidestepping Congress.
- White House also rolled out a $1 million 'Gold Card' with a path to citizenship and a $5 million 'Platinum Card' allowing up to 270 days in the U.S. without U.S. tax on non‑U.S. income.
- Employer sponsorship for the Gold Card would cost $2 million, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
- Lutnick said the H‑1B fee and Gold Card can be introduced by the president, but the 'Platinum Card' would require congressional approval.
- Lutnick said the Gold and Platinum cards would replace employment‑based visas that provide paths to citizenship, including categories for professors, scientists, artists and athletes.
- Critic Doug Rand called the moves 'ludicrously lawless' and predicted legal challenges.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says 80,000 Gold Cards will be available.
- Applicants must pay a $15,000 State/DHS vetting fee in addition to the $1 million contribution.
- Lutnick says Gold Cards will replace EB‑1 and EB‑2 categories, and other green‑card categories are likely to be suspended within a month.
- Contributions are structured as a “gift” to the Commerce Department; corporations can sponsor at $2 million.
- Platinum Card concept reiterated: up to 270 days in the U.S. without tax on non‑U.S. income, requires congressional approval; online waitlist is live.
- Lutnick describes the program as in the 'implementation phase' with State and DHS vetting.
- Application portal trumpcard.gov is live for purchases/applications.
- Individuals can buy for $1M now; corporations will be able to purchase for $2M later.
- Process includes nonrefundable processing fee, accelerated USCIS review, in‑depth background check.
- Approved applicants receive lawful permanent resident status under EB‑1 or EB‑2.
- Administration claims program could generate “well over $100 billion” quickly.
- Status may be revoked for national‑security or other risks; card design and branding described.
- Forthcoming 'Trump Platinum Card' would allow up to 270 days/year U.S. presence without taxation on non‑U.S. income (waitlist open).
- Executive order creates a $1,000,000 'Trump Gold Card' path to citizenship
- Signed Friday night at the White House
- Separate order adds a $100,000 fee for H‑1B visa applicants