A core tenet of the America First movement is that policies should primarily benefit hardworking American citizens, not foreign interests or globalist elites. President Donald Trump’s proposed Gold Card immigration program, if implemented properly, would serve as an America First model to leverage the strengths of the U.S. economy while reducing the national debt, creating new jobs, and ensuring that only those who truly contribute to our nation can live and work here. Additionally, the Gold Card must avoid common flaws of some current visa programs, including fraud, national security risks, and visa overstays — one of the primary drivers of illegal immigration.
Trump introduced the Gold Card idea to the public in February, promising that the new program could lead to billions in revenue and a significant reduction in the national debt. Remarkably, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reported in June that 70,000 people had already expressed interest in the program.
Predictably, the usual suspects in the media have been rooting for this initiative to fail. The Washington Post, a longtime home of Trump-hating media, recently reported that the Gold Card “might never happen” and erroneously argued that the Trump administration lacks the legal authority to implement it.
Instead of plotting its demise, let’s envision how Trump’s Gold Card can be a national success.
First and foremost, the program should build upon the success of the existing EB-5 visa program. The EB-5 program is one of the few existing immigration initiatives that makes sense for America. Instead of allowing just anyone to flood across our borders, the EB-5 requires that applicants make a substantial financial investment in U.S. businesses and create new jobs for American workers. This ensures that those entering the country contribute to economic growth rather than becoming a burden on taxpayers. Participants in the program are fully vetted, including an examination of the source of their investment funds. Finally, the EB-5 only provides a green card instead of immediate citizenship, allowing the United States to retain control over the long-term status of these immigrants.
The Gold Card program can build on EB-5 by ensuring applicants directly contribute to debt reduction, add stable jobs to our economy, share our language and culture, and pose absolutely no national security threat to the public.
In particular, the Gold Card should include a provision for job creation and economic growth that builds on the requirements for the EB-5. With a significant portion of investments directed toward American businesses, this plan could create hundreds of thousands of jobs for American citizens. Unlike illegal immigrants who often drain our public resources, these participants would be directly funding U.S. businesses, boosting the economy, and ensuring continued job opportunities.
Second, the same strict vetting and steps to reduce the national security risks EB-5 now follows must be instituted for the Gold Card. Unlike the disastrous open-border policies pushed by the previous administration, this plan should require rigorous vetting of every applicant, ensuring that only individuals with legally obtained wealth and strong character are allowed to invest and live in America. This would keep bad actors, criminals, and those with questionable financial backgrounds from abusing the system.
Then, as the Trump administration has done with student visas, Gold Card applicants should also go through thorough social media vetting for identification of support for terrorism or allegiance to hostile foreign governments. Much like for citizenship, Gold Card applicants should also speak fluent English, demonstrate allegiance to our values, and respect our shared American heritage.
Finally, for the Trump Gold Card idea to succeed, it must include the same reforms the EB-5 program now has to end fraud and abuse, thanks to legislation spearheaded by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), adopted by Congress in 2022.
Instead of uncontrolled, government-dependent migration, the Gold Card program should set a high bar for entry, ensuring that only those who bring financial strength and economic benefit can establish residency in the U.S. No more chain migration, amnesty, or “diversity lotteries” — just a fair, market-driven approach that works in America’s favor.
LOUISIANA POLICE CHIEFS ARRESTED IN ALLEGED VISA FRAUD SCHEME
Trump has always been about winning for America, and this plan is no different. By requiring high-net-worth individuals to contribute directly to debt reduction, Trump’s Gold Card plan would make a tangible impact in restoring fiscal responsibility. With the Gold Card, we have a real opportunity to secure our financial future, bolster our economy, and put an end to the reckless immigration policies that have plagued our nation for decades.
It is time to take control of our borders, our economy, and our national destiny. The Gold Card plan is the smart, America First solution we have been waiting for. Let’s make it happen.
Chad F. Wolf serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chair of Homeland Security and Immigration policy at the America First Policy Institute. He previously served as acting Secretary of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration.