PRESIDENT made a PROCLAMATION ON 9/19/2025 THAT would grant employment-based green cards to individuals willing to “gift” $1 million to the United States.
- “Gold Card” program authorizes an alien who makes an unrestricted gift to the Department of Commerce under 15 U.S.C. 1522 (or for whom a corporation or similar entity makes such a gift) to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa using an expedited process, to the extent consistent with law and public safety and national security concerns.
- The requisite gift amount shall be $1 million for an individual donating on his or her own behalf and $2 million for a corporation or similar entity donating on behalf of an individual.
- In deciding visa applications, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall treat the gift specified under EB-1 OR EB-2 CATEGORIES – ALIEN OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY OR NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER
- Within 90 days of the date of this order (September 19, 2025), Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to implement the Gold Card program such as:
- Establish a process for application and expedited adjudication of Gold Card petitions, visa issuance, and adjustment of status.
- Specify the date on which applicants (or sponsors if applicable) may begin to submit gifts for consideration under the Gold Card program.
- Establish a process for a Gold Card holder sponsored by a corporation or similar entity to abandon his or her status and for the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to consider the original gift as evidence of eligibility under exceptional business ability and national benefit and of eligibility for a national-interest waiver for a different individual
