Trump's Proposed $5 Million 'Gold Card' Faces Legal and Legislative Hurdles

The plan to sell permanent U.S. residency to wealthy foreigners requires Congressional approval and raises legal and logistical concerns.

Donald Trump announced a new 'Gold Card' visa program offering U.S. permanent residency for $5 million, targeting wealthy individuals as a way to boost the economy and reduce national debt.
Experts highlight that creating or significantly altering visa programs, such as replacing the existing EB-5 investor visa, requires Congressional approval, which could take months or might not happen at all.
The EB-5 program, established in 1990, already allows foreign investors to gain residency by creating jobs, but the 'Gold Card' proposal aims to attract even wealthier applicants with fewer restrictions.
Critics point out that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress authority over immigration laws, making unilateral executive action to implement this program legally questionable.
Even if approved by Congress, the program would likely face significant delays due to the development of administrative processes and potential opposition, including concerns about 'selling citizenship' and attracting questionable applicants.