BREAKING: The Trump Gold Card opens today, offering a fast lane to a green card for a $1 million fee. I confirmed the portal is live and accepting applications. The offer targets people who already qualify under EB-1 or EB-2. It promises speed. It does not promise a visa.
In plain terms, the government is charging $1 million for expedited handling after EB-1 or EB-2 eligibility.
[IMAGE_1]
What the program does, and what it does not do
The program is now active through a federal site branded for the rollout. Applicants must first qualify under EB-1 or EB-2 rules. That means extraordinary ability, outstanding research, or advanced degree work. Only then can they pay the new fee for priority processing.
The administration is pitching this as a jobs and growth tool. Earlier drafts floated a higher price and special tax cushions. Those tax perks are not in today’s launch materials. The fee is framed as an expedite payment, not a direct purchase of status.
Here is the key limit. Priority handling does not create new visas. It cannot jump per country caps or the annual quota. It cannot erase background checks. It moves your file to the front of a line that still has hard stops.
The legal fault lines
I reviewed the executive rollout and agency guidance. The legal hook is thin. Federal law lets immigration agencies set fees to recover costs. It does not allow the sale of immigrant visas. Nor does it allow an executive order to rewrite visa caps that Congress set.
This is the likely challenge path. Opponents will argue the fee is an unlawful condition on a statutory benefit. They will also argue the agencies skipped proper rulemaking. If the government used internal guidance in place of a public rule, a court could view it as arbitrary.
Even if courts allow an expedite fee in theory, the program must still respect the Immigration and Nationality Act. That means:
- No bypass of numerical limits or per country rules
- Full background and security screening
- Source of funds checks to deter money laundering
- Equal application of eligibility standards
[IMAGE_2]
National security and financial crime concerns are real. Other countries that tried “golden visa” models faced money laundering risks. The United States will need strong vetting. Expect enhanced source of wealth reviews, OFAC screening, and fraud audits. That will slow processing, even for those who pay.
Policy shift and equity
This move puts a price tag on speed in a system already split by wealth. At the same time, the administration is pushing tighter gates for refugees and asylum seekers. The message is clear. Money moves the line. Need does not.
Backlogs remain. EB-1 and EB-2 wait times are long for high demand countries. Fast review cannot change the visa bulletin. It also pulls staff time toward those who can pay. That could slow other cases. It could also trigger new suits from applicants who claim unequal treatment.
Paying the fee does not guarantee a green card. It does not confer work authorization by itself. Beware any private broker who promises otherwise.
What citizens and applicants should watch next
Congress holds the real power. Large immigration and tax changes need legislation. Lawmakers can block, narrow, or fund this program. State attorneys general may sue on equal protection and administrative law grounds. Civil rights groups are preparing test cases.
If courts pause the program, the government will have to say what happens to fees already paid. Applicants should demand clear refund rules in writing. Citizens should ask how the revenue will be used and whether it will expand adjudication for all, not only the wealthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the $1 million buy a green card?
A: No. It buys expedited handling after you qualify under EB-1 or EB-2. You still must meet all legal tests and pass all checks.
Q: Can the program skip visa caps or the visa bulletin?
A: No. Caps and per country limits are set by Congress. An executive program cannot override them.
Q: Who can apply today?
A: People who can already qualify for EB-1 or EB-2. That usually means top-tier talent, advanced degrees, or national interest work.
Q: Could courts shut this down?
A: Yes. The fee could be ruled unlawful or the rollout could be found improper. A preliminary injunction is possible.
Q: What happens to the fee if a case is denied?
A: The government has not promised refunds in denials. Applicants should review written fee terms before paying.
Conclusion: The Trump Gold Card tries to monetize speed in a system built on law, quotas, and checks. It may raise revenue. It may also hit a legal wall. For now, it offers a costly fast lane that still ends at the same red light, the limits set by Congress.
