Listen Live
Close
Reportage: President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday evening March 11 2020 on the country's expanded response against the global Coronavirus outbreak.

Source: HUM Images / Getty

Donald Trump has proposed selling ‘gold cards’ to millionaires seeking US citizenship after deporting 37,660 individuals in his first month in office.

Foreigners willing to spend $5 million would receive ‘green card privileges’ and a path to citizenship, including Russian oligarchs.

“It’s going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card. They’ll be wealthy, and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes,” Trump told reporters at an unrelated event in the Oval Office.

Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, referred to it as the “Trump Gold Card,” stating that it would effectively replace the current EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. The existing program grants residency to foreign investors who contribute at least $1.05 million to a new job-creating business—or $800,000 if the investment is in a rural area, high-unemployment zone, or infrastructure project.

Critics warn of potential risks, such as tax evasion and corruption, associated with such programs.