More Support Grows For Trump Gold Cards
A San Diego immigration attorney recently spoke out in favor of President Trump’s proposed U.S. “gold card” for investors, suggesting it could be a successful initiative because it mirrors the existing EB5 investor visa program. Saman Nasseri, a prominent immigration attorney, explained that Trump’s idea could work in principle since the EB5 program has proven effective for years. “The EB5 program has been successful, and this gold card plan would simply expand on that, bringing in larger businesses and more high-level investors,” Nasseri said in an interview with NewsNation.
While Trump has claimed that this “gold card” system would be unprecedented, the structure he’s proposed bears significant similarities to the current EB5 program. The primary difference is that the new initiative may come with a higher investment threshold, but the core idea of attracting investors who can create jobs and contribute to the economy remains the same. The goal, according to Trump, is to roll out the gold card within a matter of weeks, and Nasseri believes that’s feasible, though he cautions there are challenges.
“It’s certainly possible to get this program started in two weeks,” Nasseri said. “However, it all depends on how thoroughly the vetting process is handled.” The attorney pointed out that in the EB5 program, the source of the investment funds is critically important. Investors must demonstrate that their funds are legitimate and traceable, and the investment must lead to job creation in the U.S.
The current EB5 visa requires foreign investors to invest at least $1 million in a U.S. business, creating a minimum of 10 jobs, which also puts them on a path to obtaining a green card and eventually U.S. citizenship. However, there remains some uncertainty about whether President Trump can end the EB5 program without Congressional approval, given that it was reauthorized just a few years ago in 2022. This is a matter that will likely need further debate and legislation to address.
