(Image source from: x.com/WhiteHouse)

US President Donald Trump revealed a new program called the "Trump Gold Card," which he argued would put an end to the "silly" system that forces talented individuals to leave after they finish their education. Trump mentioned that it is unfortunate for students from nations like India and China to have to depart from the US upon graduating from prestigious universities. He claimed that this new immigration program would allow businesses to hire and keep such skilled individuals in the country. While speaking at the White House, Trump explained that the new visa initiative would provide American companies with "certainty" when employing highly educated international students, many of whom struggle with lengthy immigration challenges even after finishing at the top of their programs. "It’s a chance to welcome amazing people into our nation, since we believe these individuals would make a significant impact but are currently unable to stay. They finish college and have to return to India, or go back to China, or France. It's extremely difficult for them to remain. It’s a pity. This situation is absurd. We will resolve it," Trump stated.

The president mentioned that the Gold Card website is now operational, and businesses can "purchase" the Gold Card to retain the students they employ from leading American institutions like Wharton, Harvard, and MIT in the US. Trump noted that he has spoken with Apple CEO Tim Cook multiple times and various other business leaders who expressed their inability to hire people from top universities because "there’s uncertainty about whether you can keep the person." Trump remarked that students are "expelled" from the country. "If you graduate at the top of your class, there’s no assurance... that they can remain in the country." Trump shared that Cook discussed this "significant issue" with him. The Trump Gold Card serves as a visa based on a person's capacity to provide a meaningful advantage to the United States. It has been promoted as a route for immigrants to acquire US citizenship.

"It won't be an issue any longer. As you are aware, they previously sent individuals to Canada and other nations. We've resolved that," Trump mentioned, adding that with the Gold Card, the US will receive a huge amount of money that will benefit the country. "It will be wonderful. We will bring in what I believe is billions of dollars, a lot of billions of dollars even. So that's quite thrilling," he stated. Trump mentioned that businesses will be very pleased with the Gold Card, which will offer more benefits compared to a green card that provides permanent residency in the US. United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick explained that people could get the Gold Card for one million dollars, whereas businesses could buy one for two million dollars. For corporations, this card would let them keep an employee after going through "thorough vetting, the finest vetting the government has ever performed."

He explained that the vetting process would cost fifteen thousand dollars and confirm that the individual "totally qualifies to be an American, fully qualifies." Once granted approval, the employee would have a route to citizenship after five years, according to Lutnick. A company could then "replace someone on the card," allowing businesses to rotate their foreign staff through long-term, job-related residency. "It's a benefit for the United States of America... to assist America in becoming great again under Donald Trump," he added. Lutnick clarified that the Trump Gold Card is included in the already accepted visas, ensuring that only the "best individuals" enter this country. He mentioned that the typical green card holder earned less than the average American and was more likely to rely on government assistance than the average American. "The aim is from President Trump; he desires to elevate it and bring the top talent into America. So the same visas, but now just filled with the best individuals," Lutnick stated.