President Donald Trump has unveiled the “Trump Gold Card,” a new immigration program offering affluent foreigners expedited permanent residency in exchange for a $1 million contribution to the U.S. government, plus a $15,000 processing fee.

Corporations can sponsor employees for $2 million each, a move that has ignited fierce debate over whether America is selling citizenship to the highest bidder.

Formalized through Executive Order 14351 in September and now live on trumpcard.gov, the initiative replaces the EB-5 investor visa with a streamlined path to EB-1 or EB-2 green cards. Approved applicants, after Department of Homeland Security vetting, can secure residency within weeks, with rights to work, family inclusion, and eventual citizenship eligibility after five years.

Trump touted the program during a White House event, calling it “a direct path to citizenship for qualified, vetted people,” and suggesting companies like Apple would benefit from retaining top talent from India, China, and Europe. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the fees as a “gift” to help offset U.S. debt, projecting billions in new revenue.

Corporate sponsors face a 1 percent annual maintenance fee and a 5 percent transfer fee to swap beneficiaries, while a teased “Platinum Card” at $5 million promises tax exemptions on foreign income for up to 270 days annually in the U.S. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized rigorous background checks, but legal experts argue the program bypasses congressional intent for EB-5’s job-creation mandates.

The American Immigration Council condemned the scheme as “wealth-based favoritism,” while immigrant rights groups labeled it “citizenship auctions.” Business lobbies, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have filed lawsuits over related H-1B fees, warning of talent flight. Trump countered: “We’re selling residency to the best—talent, not handouts.”

Proponents, including allies of Elon Musk and Tim Cook, see the program as a boost for innovation. Critics, from Democrats to international observers, warn it exacerbates inequality and undermines America’s immigration ethos, especially amid mass deportations. Reports suggest more than 15,000 applicants pre-registered since June, underscoring strong demand despite the controversy.

As applications roll in, the Gold Card tests Trump’s immigration pivot: elite access for the wealthy versus strict enforcement for others. Whether it funds the wall or deepens divides remains the central question.