Trump Pushes Gold Card Visa Amid Concerns About Chinese Influence

In a bold move that has reignited debates on U.S. immigration policy, former President Donald Trump is advocating for a “Gold Card” visa program. This initiative would allow foreign nationals to secure a fast-track route to U.S. citizenship by investing $5 million. Trump discussed the proposal on “Sunday Morning Futures,” positioning it as a replacement for the controversial EB-5 investor visa.

Gold Card Visa: A “Green Card on Steroids”?

Trump emphasized the practical benefits of the Gold Card, particularly for major American companies struggling to retain top international talent.

“I believe that Apple and all these companies that can’t get people to come out of college and stay because they get thrown out, I think it’s terrible,” Trump said. “Now they can buy a Gold Card and hire these top students.”

The proposal aims to provide an alternative to the rigid immigration rules that often force skilled graduates to leave the country upon completing their studies. Trump asserted that businesses would eagerly invest in Gold Cards to secure high-caliber talent, boosting economic growth.

Replacing the EB-5 Investor Visa

The Gold Card visa would replace the EB-5 program, which has faced scrutiny for years. Established in the 1990s, the EB-5 visa granted residency to foreign investors who injected at least $1 million into the U.S. economy (or $500,000 in high-poverty areas) and created at least ten jobs. However, concerns over fraud and national security risks, particularly from China, led to bipartisan efforts to reform or abolish the program.

In 2020, House Republicans raised alarms over EB-5, citing that nearly 80% of its recipients between 2012 and 2018 were Chinese-born investors. Critics argued that the program was vulnerable to manipulation, enabling foreign actors to buy U.S. residency with minimal oversight.

Despite attempts to overhaul EB-5, including a 2022 revival with tighter regulations, the program continued to attract criticism. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called it “poorly overseen, poorly executed,” while immigration experts warned of widespread fraud, including false job creation claims and pyramid investment schemes.

National Security Concerns and Chinese Influence

One of the most contentious aspects of the Gold Card visa is the potential for foreign influence, particularly from China. When asked about the possibility of Chinese investors exploiting the program, Trump responded candidly: “They may, but they don’t have to do that. They can do it in other ways.”

This response has done little to quell concerns among national security experts who fear that such a program could provide an easy entry point for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members and other potentially adversarial actors.

Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation, echoed these concerns. “With any immigration benefit in America, if you offer it, they will come—and too often, they will seek or use the benefit fraudulently,” she said. Ries emphasized the need for stringent vetting processes to prevent abuse.

Economic Implications: A Revenue Boom or a Risky Gamble?

Trump highlighted the revenue-generating potential of the Gold Card visa, calling it a “lot of money when you add it up.” If the program attracts high levels of interest, it could generate billions in foreign investment.

However, critics argue that selling citizenship undermines the integrity of U.S. immigration policy. Some lawmakers fear that the program prioritizes wealth over merit, potentially allowing individuals with questionable backgrounds to buy their way into the country without proper scrutiny.

Additionally, while the Gold Card visa might benefit elite companies seeking to retain top international graduates, it does little to address broader workforce shortages or labor market imbalances.

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