By admin 
Washington, DC:
US President Donald Trump has defended his “Gold Card” proposal, addressing criticism that it would primarily benefit wealthy immigrants. He explained that his plan would allow American businesses to purchase the “Gold Card” to help retain top students from countries like India, who come to the US for higher education and advanced studies.
“I get calls from companies wanting to hire the top students from places like India, China, Japan, and other countries. These students go to prestigious schools like Harvard, Yale, and the Wharton School of Finance, and graduate at the top of their class with job offers,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, during his second term. He suggested that US companies struggle to recruit and retain these high-caliber students due to the uncertainty around their immigration status.
Trump continued, “These students receive job offers, but the offers are often rescinded because companies are unsure if these individuals can remain in the country. I want to make sure they can stay, so businesses can buy a gold card for them and use it as part of their recruitment strategy. We hope to start selling these cards in about two weeks.”
US companies, particularly in Silicon Valley, have reportedly faced difficulties filling positions, and Trump, who has taken steps to limit undocumented immigration, has emphasized that he wants to welcome more legal immigrants with in-demand skills or financial resources to invest in the country.
Trump also stated that the “Gold Card” program could raise money to help pay down the national debt. He predicted the program would be widely popular with businesses, calling it a “bargain.”
Trump’s “Gold Card” Proposal
On Tuesday, Trump unveiled the “Gold Card” initiative, which would provide residency and a pathway to citizenship for individuals who pay $5 million. This program would create a new legal immigration option. The President said the program would be launched in two weeks, and he did not believe it would require Congressional approval, though immigration experts have noted that lawmakers may need to approve the change.
Trump said discussions are still underway to establish the vetting criteria for the program. When asked if there would be restrictions on applicants from countries like China, he indicated that the criteria may not be nationality-based, but there would still be certain rules to ensure the program attracts individuals who “love our country.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, sitting next to Trump, mentioned that this program could replace the existing EB-5 program, which allows foreign investors and their immediate families to gain permanent residency by investing in an American business and creating at least 10 jobs in the US.
Under the “Gold Card” proposal, individuals would pay the $5 million directly to the US government, which Trump said could be used to reduce the national debt. He projected that selling 1 million gold cards could raise $5 trillion, although immigration experts argue that the pool of people who could afford such an investment is likely much smaller.
Gill Bikram Singh