Trump Gold Card Controversy
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently stated that although the Trump Gold Card might generate substantial revenue for the federal government, it wouldn’t actually lead to an increase in the number of skilled immigrants filling jobs typically sought by American graduates.
“This initiative is linked to existing approved visas,” Lutnick mentioned during a White House briefing. He elaborated that…
On average, green card holders tend to earn less than American citizens, making them more likely to require government assistance. The concept originates from President Trump, who aims to attract top talent to the U.S. It’s the same visa type, but exclusively for highly skilled individuals.
The Gold Card can be purchased by individuals who meet specific criteria for $1 million or by companies for $2 million, which allows them to use it for another person every five years. President Trump has been vocal about how this citizenship offering will bring in funds for the government while giving Fortune 500 companies access to the kind of skilled foreign workers they’re after. “Companies will appreciate this, Apple definitely will,” he remarked, adding:
People are essentially buying a card that is akin to a green card but comes with added advantages. Companies can hire talent from prestigious institutions like Harvard or MIT. If you obtain a card for a student, that person can remain in the U.S., which I’ve heard from many in the tech industry, including executives from Apple. Right now, [foreign] students often can’t secure employment because there’s a lack of assurance that they can stay in the country.
Still, it’s worth noting that numerous employers already utilize various methods to recruit foreign graduates from American universities.
For instance, around 400,000 foreign students have been granted permission to work in the U.S. through the Vocational Practice Training Program for a period of one to three years, often helping foreign managers hire their own community members and inadvertently sidelining many American graduates.
Many of these participants later migrate to the H-1B visa program, which allocates long-term work visas to approximately 120,000 foreign graduates annually. After some years in this program, H-1B workers may qualify for green cards.
This OPT initiative was introduced during George W. Bush’s administration without Congressional authorization.
In a recent statement, President Trump criticized visa programs that allow roughly 2.5 million foreign graduates to occupy job positions aimed at American professionals.
Public responses to this announcement have been varied.
For example, Ricky Halliday expressed, “We don’t want invaders in, we want them out.” Meanwhile, Kelly McCarty questioned, “How is selling citizenship to foreigners beneficial for our culture?” suggesting that American citizenship shouldn’t be a commodity for sale.
“Every statement reflects poorly on this idea,” added a Twitter user named nanomax.
A White House statement clarified that the Gold Card is legally viable because its purchaser qualifies for existing EB-1 or EB-2 visa pathways, both of which fall under the “employment-based” category that issues 140,000 green cards yearly to employer-nominated immigrants.
The EB-1 pathway caters to “foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities” in various fields, including science, art, and business, while the EB-2 route supports immigrants with advanced degrees or exceptional skills.
Both routes currently face challenges as many claims are held up by Indian visa workers asserting their qualifications. An example from Breitbart News in August 2024 highlighted an immigrant boasting about hiring an Indian contractor to fabricate his educational background.
The process involves interviews to gather accomplishments, drafting articles from these discussions, and seeking publication—a fairly costly endeavor. I started this in mid-December, and the articles appeared several months later.
Nonetheless, the EB-1 and EB-2 pathways are generally quicker compared to the EB-3 pathway.
EB-3 visas are often allocated to ordinary workers, including many on H-1B, H4EAD, and L-1 visas, who fill roles typically suitable for American candidates. Some foreign workers even go so far as to pay kickbacks for entry-level positions in the U.S., creating financial incentives for companies to replace productive American professionals.
Challenges abound for the Gold Card plan.
It could face legal challenges from lawyers who assist immigrants with EB-1 and EB-2 applications. Moreover, the plan may intersect with companies that guide immigrants through the EB-5 pathway, which offers 10,000 green cards annually to those investing significant capital in U.S. businesses.
As for sales of the Gold Card, they might dwindle due to existing programs like OPT→H-1B and EB-5 paths.
It’s also critical to consider the yearly caps on green cards awarded to immigrants from specific countries, leading to a backlog for Indian applicants that could last a decade, regardless of Gold Card status.
“The administration can’t supersede the regular immigration system,” stated a representative from Tech Workers of America, advocating for U.S. professionals. Prospective immigrants could end up with two parallel paths leading to the same outcome, yet one involves hefty fees without offering any extra benefits.
