The President of the United States, Donald Trump, introduced a golden card known as the "gold card" during an informal exchange with the press aboard Air Force One.
“Five million. For five million dollars, this could be yours. That was the first of the cards,” said Trump while holding the card in a video posted on the official account of The White House on X.
He then asked, "Do you know what this card is?" to which the journalists replied, "The gold card." Trump confirmed, "It is the gold card. The trump card, the golden card."
When asked who the first buyer was, he replied, "Me." And when questioned about who the second was, he added, "I don't know, but I was the first. I've had it for less than two weeks. Quite exciting, right?"
So far, no additional details have been provided regarding the purpose or scope of the "gold card."
In February, Trump announced the introduction of a new "Golden Card" for permanent residency for foreigners who are willing to invest five million dollars in the country.
This program aims to attract wealthy individuals who can contribute to the U.S. economy through investments, job creation, and tax payments
During a press conference at the White House, Trump explained that the "Golden Card" will offer privileges equivalent to those of a "Green Card," including a path to U.S. citizenship.
However, he emphasized that although this permit facilitates permanent residency, it does not imply direct purchase of citizenship.
This new scheme would replace the current EB-5 program, which granted "Green Cards" to foreigners who invested between $900,000 and $1.8 million in projects that created at least ten jobs in the United States.
This initiative contrasts with the strict immigration policy implemented by the Trump administration.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced this Tuesday that the month of March marked a historic milestone in border security, with the lowest number of illegal crossings ever recorded at the southwestern border of the country.
According to the official statement, in March there were approximately 7,180 crossings in that area, a drastic drop compared to the monthly average of 155,000 recorded over the past four years.
Trump recently reported that during his term there has been a drastic reduction in illegal crossings at the southern border of the United States, "which fell by 94% in March compared to the same month last year".
"Crossings at the southwest border in March fell to their lowest level in U.S. history, 94% less than in March of last year under President Biden. Thanks to President Trump's leadership, Border Patrol agents are once again doing the job for which they were hired," stated the president's team on X.
The data does not match the most recent figures from the CBP, but it is close. The office reports that in March there were approximately 28,000 encounters at the border, in contrast to more than 256,000 recorded in the same month the previous year, representing a decrease of 89%.
The border czar, Tom Homan, also highlighted the impact of the new measures: “We have secured the border. Crossings have dropped by 96%.” Homan attributed this change to the support of the U.S. military for border agents, which has strengthened surveillance and deterred undocumented immigrants.
Cuban border crossings into the United States plummeted in February 2025, with only 150 entries recorded, according to the latest data from CBP.
Of the total, 12 entered through the border with Canada, 111 through Mexico, and the rest by sea. These figures represent a drastic decline compared to January, when 6,314 Cubans entered, and even more so compared to December 2024, when nearly 9,000 people arrived in the country through land and maritime borders.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Gold Card" and Trump’s Immigration Policies
What is the "Gold Card" announced by Trump?
The "Gold Card" is a permanent residency program for foreigners willing to invest five million dollars in the United States. It offers privileges similar to a "Green Card" and is a pathway to citizenship, although it is not a direct purchase of the latter.
How does the "Gold Card" affect the EB-5 program?
The "Gold Card" replaces the EB-5 program, which granted "Green Cards" to foreigners who invested between $900,000 and $1.8 million in projects that created at least ten jobs in the U.S. According to the government, the EB-5 will be discontinued due to issues of fraud and poor management.
What is the objective of Trump's "Gold Card" program?
The goal of the "Gold Card" program is to attract wealthy individuals who can contribute to the U.S. economy through investments, job creation, and tax payments. The Trump administration hopes that this initiative will stimulate the country's economy.
What changes to immigration policy has Trump recently implemented?
Trump has implemented a more restrictive immigration policy, including a drastic reduction in illegal crossings at the border and granting new powers to ICE for expedited deportations. Furthermore, the numbers of illegal crossings have significantly decreased under his administration.
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