Immigration: Trump’s Gold Card Struggles To Gain Traction

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – 338 people have filed requests for President Donald Trump’s so-called “Gold Card” visa, and only 165 have gone on to pay the $15,000 processing fee, according to a Department of Homeland Security court filing, underscoring a muted response to a program pitched as a magnet for the world’s ultra-wealthy.

The tepid uptake stands in sharp contrast to earlier claims by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had projected the initiative would generate more than $100 billion by issuing 80,000 visas. Lutnick also asserted in March that 1,000 Gold Cards had already been distributed at $5 million apiece even before the program formally launched.

Yet attorneys advising high-net-worth clients are urging caution or outright rejecting the offering, citing legal and financial risks, according to reporting by The Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who has been donating, like most corporations, generously to Trump’s causes.

Seven lawyers who represent the program’s target clientele told the newspaper they are steering applicants away due to ongoing litigation, tax exposure concerns, and the absence of congressional authorization for the visa. The Washington Post reported that the lack of statutory backing means the program could be reversed at any time, a key deterrent for prospective applicants.

Some of the skepticism is coming from figures with ties to Trump’s own circle. Immigration attorney Michael Wildes, who has represented First Lady Melania Trump, told The Washington Post that he would decline clients seeking the visa, calling it ethically questionable given the uncertainty surrounding its legality.

Others echoed similar concerns. Rosanna Berardi, another immigration lawyer, said recommending such a program would expose clients to significant financial risk without clear legal footing. Meanwhile, attorney Mona Shah said she has clients moving forward despite warnings the visa could amount to “false advertising,” with applicants willing to risk losing substantial sums, The Washington Post reported.

The Gold Card, introduced by Trump in June and later formalized through an executive order, has not been codified by Congress. According to the DHS filing, applicants would not bypass existing employment-based visa categories such as EB-1 or EB-2, further limiting its appeal.

Lutnick has maintained that at least one individual has received a Gold Card, though details remain unclear. Speculation briefly swirled around Nicki Minaj, but a White House official told The Washington Post that any such card linked to her was merely a “memento,” not an actual visa.