President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the introduction of a ‘gold card’ for wealthy foreigners, allowing them to live and work in the United States with a pathway to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee.
According to a US-based news outlet, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the gold card will replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa programme.
“They’ll have to go through vetting, of course,” Lutnick said, adding, “To make sure they’re wonderful world-class global citizens.”
Trump made the announcement during a media availability in the Oval Office, where he also signed an executive action investigating the copper industry and addressed various topics.
He stated that sales of the gold cards would begin in about two weeks and suggested that millions could be sold. “From the legal standpoint, it’s totally legal to do,” he said.
When asked if Russian oligarchs would be eligible to purchase the cards, Trump responded, “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people,” a news outlet reported.
During the event, Trump also admired a map of the newly renamed Gulf of America, stating, “I’m just admiring it as I look at it. I’m getting teary-eyed — but I don’t want you to say, Trump broke down and started crying.”
Also Read: Telangana: ‘No Contact Yet’ with Eight Trapped in SLBC Tunnel as Rescue Op Continues
