Before I start with my feelings on Trump’s new “Gold Card”, and how it’s just another mark on the long list of Republicans prioritizing the wealthy over the rest of society, let’s first start with this outline from Reuters ⬇️
Donald Trump on Tuesday floated the idea of replacing a visa program for foreign investors with a so-called "gold card" that could be bought for $5 million as a route to American citizenship.
Trump told reporters he will replace the "EB-5" immigrant investor visa program, which allows foreign investors of large sums of money that create or preserve U.S. jobs to become permanent residents, with a so-called "gold card."
The EB-5 program grants "green cards" to foreigners promising to invest in U.S. businesses.
Trump added it is possible Russian oligarchs could qualify for the gold cards, when asked by a journalist if those people would be eligible. "Yeah, possibly. Hey. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people," he said.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, was created by Congress in 1990 to "stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors," according to the USCIS website.
The Reaction On Instagram
After I came across this video, I posted it to our account on Instagram. For those who started following my account through Substack, and haven’t started following us on Instagram yet, I definitely recommend checking out our content there as well. You can follow us HERE
After I posted the video, I noticed just how quickly the comment section filled up (more than usual) with people outraged by this news (rightly so I might add). Here’s some of my favorite comments I came across.
My Thoughts
Let’s be honest, Trump’s second term has all of us on edge after only a month, it feels like everyday there’s a new cataclysm to contend with.
However, I would say that at least this story doesn’t feel “out of left field” (at least pertaining to Trump), rather it’s completely on brand for what we know from our shallow narcissist of a President.
Here’s someone who has always tried to openly profit off of the office of President. Something he’s obviously trying to do again here.
His fascination with the color gold has reentered the chat. As he tries once again to show how “fancy” this latest offer is.
He’s always felt shunned by the elites, a crowd he desperately wanted to join, but was mostly rejected from. So, this is an obvious play to once again welcome more wealthy individuals into his orbit.
He loves to play “kingmaker”. So now he gets to hand choose which wealthy individuals get to not only enter the country, but become citizens.
This story has all the classic hallmarks of what Trump represents…including the totally on brand exclusion of anyone who isn’t wealthy.
The United States used to brand itself as a nation of immigrants. A place where anyone could come, as long as they would enter society and find a way to contribute. Mostly everyone who comes here, does exactly that.
Migrants are some of the hardest working people in our country. They commit crimes at a lower rate than native-born Americans, they’re employed at higher rates than native-born Americans & most are just thankful to be in this country.
The demonization of this group is nothing more than a scare tactic by the political right-wing in this country, to distract working class folks from the billionaire class, who are actually making the everyday conditions worse for everyone.
Along with the Transgender community & “D.E.I. hires”, migrants in America are scapegoats for the real problems we face as a nation. This story is only an addendum to that larger story.
Another attempt for Donald Trump to say that he doesn’t “hate” immigrants, just certain immigrants…
Make no mistake:
Migrants do not harm this country
No one should need 5 million dollars to be given a path to citizenship
This story is another attempt for Trump to shift the narrative
Wealthy foreign investors will likely only further income inequality in America
Let’s not fall into the trap of taking this story seriously.
In our project 2029, let’s add that we need to make it easier to obtain citizenship in America for EVERYONE. Not just those who have large bank accounts.
For those who didn’t see our previous post about Project 2029, please check it out here ⬇️
Finally, I would love to hear your thoughts on this story! Please comment below and let us know what you think about Trump’s “Gold Card”
Also, I’m not sure if this is a new tradition yet, but I am enjoying trying to leave things on a more positive note. So in that effort, here’s a video for you to watch that hopefully acts as a chaser from this story. Please click on the play button.
Until next time,
Desmond
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