Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration’s newly launched Gold Card visa program has taken the world by storm, selling 1,000 visas daily at $5 million each, raking in $5 billion per day for the U.S. Treasury. Introduced in February as a replacement for the EB-5 investor visa, the initiative offers a direct path to citizenship for ultra-wealthy individuals, sidestepping traditional immigration hurdles. The controversial policy has drawn both intrigue and ire as it redefines the intersection of wealth and American identity.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking on the All-In Podcast, revealed the staggering scale of the program’s ambition. “We’ve identified 37 million potential buyers globally—high-net-worth individuals eager for a golden ticket to the U.S.,” he said. “President Trump believes we can sell a million of these visas, and we’re already seeing unprecedented demand.” Billionaire investor John Paulson, a key architect of the scheme, has touted its economic benefits, while tech mogul Elon Musk is reportedly designing a bespoke software platform to streamline applications.
The Gold Card visa requires no congressional approval, a move Trump has framed as a cornerstone of his immigration agenda. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about business,” Trump declared at a recent rally. “We’re bringing in the best, the brightest, and the richest to build America’s future.” The program’s revenue—already totaling billions—will reportedly fund infrastructure projects and bolster border security, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Critics, however, are sounding the alarm. Immigration advocates argue the policy creates a starkly unequal system, where citizenship becomes a luxury good for the elite while undocumented immigrants face heightened deportation efforts. “This isn’t the American dream—it’s a pay-to-play scheme,” said Maria Alvarez, director of the Fair Immigration Coalition. Others question the ethics of commodifying citizenship and worry about potential loopholes for illicit funds.
Despite the backlash, the program’s allure is undeniable. Reports indicate buyers from China, Russia, and the Middle East are snapping up visas at record pace, with some hiring consultants to navigate the process. As the administration eyes a million sales, the Gold Card visa seems poised to reshape both the U.S. economy and its global image—whether for better or worse remains a heated debate.
