President Donald Trump on Friday introduced sweeping new immigration measures, imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas and launching a $1 million “Trump Gold Card” residency program. The move marks one of the most dramatic overhauls of employment-based immigration in decades. They are expected to trigger immediate legal challenges.
Sharp Increase in H-1B Visa Costs
The new proclamation raises the annual cost of H-1B visas, used by highly skilled foreign workers, from $215 to $100,000. The change applies to all employers seeking to hire foreign talent under the program, which issues 85,000 visas annually through a congressionally mandated lottery.
Officials said the increase will sharply reduce visa issuance, making it “uneconomic” for many companies to continue relying on foreign workers. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued that the reform will force employers to train and retain American workers instead of outsourcing jobs abroad or hiring foreign labor at lower wages.
Gold Card Residency Program Unveiled
Alongside the fee increase, Trump announced the rollout of the $1 million “Trump Gold Card,” available through a new government website, trumpcard.gov. The Gold Card offers lawful permanent resident status, allowing approved applicants to qualify under EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories following security vetting and background checks.
The administration said corporations will also be able to sponsor employees for $2 million per card, offering a premium pathway to green card status for select hires. Trump predicted that the program would generate more than $100 billion in revenue, funds that he pledged would be used to reduce taxes, invest in pro-growth infrastructure projects, and pay down the national debt.
Platinum Card and Investor Options
The administration also previewed a $5 million “Trump Platinum Card,” which would allow cardholders to reside in the U.S. for up to 270 days annually without paying U.S. taxes on foreign income. Officials said the Platinum Card is intended to replace specific investor visa categories, pending congressional approval.
Together, the Gold and Platinum Cards are set to overhaul the existing system of employment- and investment-based visas. Programs once meant for professors, scientists, artists, and athletes with exceptional abilities would be removed and replaced with these expensive alternatives. Critics say this method prioritizes wealth over skill. They believe it shifts U.S. immigration policy from attracting talent to seeking financial contributions.
Support and Backlash
Those in favor of the reforms, especially groups against H-1B visas, praised the measures as long overdue. Immigration experts and former officials, however, strongly criticized the policies. Doug Rand, a former senior USCIS official, considers the measures to be ludicrously lawless, warning that the president does not have the authority to impose such dramatic fees without congressional approval. Legal analysts predict a wave of lawsuits challenging both the H-1B fee increase and the Gold Card program.
Industry representatives also expressed concern. While some companies have not yet commented, immigration attorneys note that higher costs could alter recruitment strategies, restrict opportunities for global talent, and erode America’s competitive edge in fields that require specialized skills.
Broader Impact on Immigration Policy
If upheld, the measures would fundamentally reshape employment-based immigration, limiting opportunities for skilled foreign workers and expanding pathways for wealthy applicants. Analysts warn that the change could worsen wage inflation in industries already finding it hard to recruit specialized workers, while also increasing criticism that U.S. immigration is turning into a system for sale.
For now, the policies remain uncertain. The administration faces a tough challenge defending the measures in court, where opponents claim they go beyond congressional authority. The outcome of these legal challenges will decide whether the new rules go into effect or are overturned as unconstitutional.
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