In an impromptu chat with the press aboard Air Force One, former U.S. President Donald Trump showcased a golden card, dubbed the "gold card." "Five million. For five million dollars, this could be yours. That was the first of the cards," Trump stated, holding the card in a video shared on the official White House account on X.
When asked by reporters about the card's identity, Trump replied, "It's the gold card. The trump card, the golden card." To inquiries about the first purchaser, he quipped, "Me." Further pressed about the second buyer, he added, "I don't know, but I was the first. I've had it for less than two weeks. Quite exciting, isn't it?"
Details surrounding the purpose or scope of the "gold card" remain sparse. Back in February, Trump announced the launch of a new "Golden Card" for permanent residency aimed at foreign individuals eager to invest five million dollars in the United States.
Attracting Wealthy Investors
This initiative seeks to lure affluent individuals who can bolster the U.S. economy through investments, job creation, and tax contributions. During a White House press conference, Trump elaborated that the "Golden Card" would grant privileges akin to those of a "Green Card," including a pathway to U.S. citizenship. However, he stressed that while it eases permanent residency, it doesn’t equate to directly purchasing citizenship.
Replacement for EB-5 Program
This new framework would replace the existing EB-5 program, which awarded "Green Cards" to foreigners investing between $900,000 and $1.8 million in projects creating a minimum of ten jobs in America. This approach starkly contrasts with the stringent immigration policies previously enforced by the Trump administration.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced a historic milestone in border security for March, reporting the lowest number of illegal crossings ever recorded at the southwest border. Official figures noted around 7,180 crossings in that region, a significant drop from the monthly average of 155,000 over the past four years.
Border Security Milestones
Trump recently claimed a dramatic reduction in illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border during his administration, citing a 94% drop in March compared to the same month the previous year. "Southwest border crossings in March hit their lowest level in U.S. history, down 94% from last March under President Biden. Thanks to President Trump's leadership, Border Patrol agents are back doing the job they were hired to do," his team stated on X.
While these numbers do not align precisely with the latest from the CBP, they are close. The agency reported approximately 28,000 encounters at the border in March, compared to over 256,000 the previous year, marking an 89% decrease.
Border Czar Tom Homan also emphasized the impact of new measures: “We have secured the border. Crossings have decreased by 96%.” Homan attributed this shift to the support of the U.S. military for border agents, enhancing surveillance and deterring undocumented migrants.
In February 2025, Cuban border crossings into the United States plummeted, with only 150 entries recorded, according to the latest CBP data. Of these, 12 entered from Canada, 111 from Mexico, and the remainder via maritime routes. These figures represent a dramatic decline compared to January, when 6,314 Cubans entered, and even more so against December 2024, when nearly 9,000 people arrived via land and sea borders.
Understanding the Gold Card's Impact
What is the purpose of the "Gold Card" introduced by Trump?
The "Gold Card" aims to attract wealthy foreign investors who can contribute to the U.S. economy through significant investments, job creation, and tax payments, offering them privileges similar to a "Green Card."
How does the "Gold Card" differ from the EB-5 program?
The "Gold Card" requires a $5 million investment for permanent residency, replacing the EB-5 program, which required investments between $900,000 and $1.8 million in job-creating projects.
What were the reported illegal crossing numbers at the U.S. border in March?
In March, around 7,180 illegal crossings were reported at the southwest border, a significant drop from the previous monthly average of 155,000 in recent years.