The “Trump Gold Card,” briefly explained

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump is continuing to remodel America’s immigration system with the launch of a $1 million visa. What happened? On Wednesday, Trump announced the launch of the “Trump Gold Card,” a new category of expedited visa that includes a $1 million fee, or “gift,” as “evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States.” The new program also includes a “Corporate Gold Card” with a $2 million fee, and a not-yet-available “Platinum Card” for $5 million. Recipients of the “Gold Card” will receive permanent resident status in the US, also known as a green card. What’s the context? Trump previewed it as early as February, at the time suggesting the cost might be $5 million. The “Gold Card” also isn’t the only way Trump is attempting to monetize the American immigration system; in September, he attached a $100,000 fee to new H-1B visas for skilled workers. Where did this idea come from? Setting a price tag on a visa isn’t exactly new, in the US or elsewhere, but the “gift” requirement with Trump’s “Gold Card” is unusually direct. Similar visa categories, such as so-called golden visas in some European countries, often require some form of investment in those countries, such as property ownership or even charitable giving. Such programs also come with serious corruption concerns: For example, Trump has already expressed openness to granting “Gold Cards” to Russian oligarchs. Where does the money go? That part is still unclear; the “gift” of $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million will go directly to the US government, into what Trump described Wednesday as “an account where we can do things positive for the country.” What’s the big picture? “Gold Cards” essentially add a pay-to-play lane to the US immigration system, opening the door for people with millions of dollars lying around — even as Trump tries to slam it shut for asylum-seekers and immigrants from non-white countries. And with that, it’s time to log off… I enjoyed this New York Times story about the slaty-masked tinamou, a friendly, vocal new species of bird recently discovered in the mountains of western Brazil; one biologist described it to the Times as “an opera singer” with “a voice like no other.” It’s not an entirely upbeat piece — scientists worry that the bird’s lack of fear could put it in company with the now-extinct dodo — but the good news is that efforts are already underway to protect it. You can read the full story here (it’s a gift link). Have a great evening, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!