US President Donald Trump don officially open him new immigration programme wey dem call the Trump Gold Card, and e go cost at least $1 million for anybody wey wan use am enter America sharp-sharp.
Trump announce the programme for social media on Wednesday, saying the card go give a “direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people” and help American companies hold better talent.
According to the programme website, the Gold Card na special US visa for people wey fit show say their presence go bring big economic benefit to the country. The programme land at the same time wey the Trump administration dey tighten immigration rules, raise visa fees and deport undocumented migrants.
The Gold Card promise US residency in record time, but applicants must drop $1 million, wey the organisers say na proof say the person go “substantially benefit” the US economy. Companies wey wan sponsor workers must pay $2 million, and a platinum version with extra tax benefits go soon dey available for $5 million.
People wey wan apply must also pay one non-refundable $15,000 processing fee, plus other possible government charges.
Since dem first announce the scheme for February, some Democrats don blast am, saying e favour only the rich. But Trump insist say the goal na to attract “high-level professionals” and people wey go create jobs.
“The people wey fit pay $5 million go create jobs,” Trump talk. “This programme go sell like crazy. E even cheap.”
The programme begin at the same time the Trump administration dey pump resources into deportation and suspend immigration from 19 countries, mostly for Africa and the Middle East, wey dey on Trump travel ban list.
Government don also stop all asylum decisions as dem dey review thousands of cases wey Biden administration earlier approve.
For September, Trump sign order wey attach $100,000 fee to H-1B skilled worker visa for people wey dey apply from outside the US. The announcement cause panic among foreign students and tech firms until White House later clarify say the fee no go affect current applicants for inside the US.
