Trump Administration Targets H-1B Visa and Green Card System; Proposes $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Immigrants

Vowing major immigration changes, Trump Administration Targets H-1B Visa and Green Card System; Proposes $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Immigrants. The United States may be heading toward its biggest immigration overhaul in decades. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has labeled the H-1B visa program a “scam” and revealed that both the H-1B and green card systems are set for dramatic changes under the leadership of President Donald Trump.

Speaking to Fox News, Lutnick accused the current visa framework of displacing American workers, rewarding the “wrong candidates,” and failing to attract top global talent. In its place, he outlined a vision centered on a new merit-driven, high-wealth residency pathway dubbed the “Gold Card.”

Trump Administration Targets H-1B Visa and Green Card System; Proposes $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Immigrants

Lutnick: “H-1B is a Scam”

Commerce Secretary Lutnick minced no words during his interview, stating:

“The current H-1B visa system is a scam that lets foreign workers fill American job opportunities. Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses.”

He stressed that the Trump administration is directly involved in crafting reforms that will replace the lottery-based H-1B allocation with a wage-based model.

The proposed system would prioritize applicants with higher salaries, a move he argued would align with America’s economic interests.

Criticism of the Green Card System

Lutnick also took aim at the US green card process, which grants lawful permanent residency.

He pointed out that, on average, green card recipients earn less than American workers, a statistic he framed as evidence of misplaced priorities.

“We give green cards the average American makes $75,000 a year and the average green card recipient $66,000 a year. Why are we doing that? It’s like picking the bottom core,” Lutnick said.

The statement reflects a broader push within Trump’s team to make immigration merit-based and wealth-oriented, focusing on attracting individuals who can contribute more significantly to the US economy.

Enter the “Gold Card”: Permanent Residency for the Wealthy

Perhaps the most striking element of Lutnick’s remarks was the introduction of the proposed “Gold Card” program.

• Under this scheme, foreign nationals who invest at least $5 million in the United States would be granted permanent residency.
• Lutnick claimed that interest is already overwhelming, with 250,000 potential applicants lined up, representing $1.25 trillion in investments.

He argued that the Gold Card would be a game-changer, allowing the US to “pick the best people” and accelerate economic growth.

“That’s the gold card that’s coming. And that’s where we’re gonna start picking the best people to come into this country. It’s time for that to change,” Lutnick reiterated.

Also Read: Trump Card Visa Launches: $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ Offers Pathway to U.S. Residency

Trump’s Mixed Stance on H-1B Visas

Interestingly, President Trump himself has often spoken favorably of the H-1B visa system, calling it essential for bringing “competent” and “great” individuals to the US.

In January, Trump told reporters:

“You got to get the best people. We have to have the quality people coming in. By doing that, we’re expanding businesses, and that takes care of everybody.”

Yet during his first term, Trump also tightened rules around H-1B issuance, citing concerns that companies were exploiting the program to hire lower-paid foreign workers at the expense of Americans.

This dual approach reflects a tension between Trump’s “America First” jobs agenda and the business community’s reliance on skilled immigrants.

Why India Is Watching Closely

The stakes are particularly high for Indian professionals, who have long dominated the H-1B landscape.

• In fiscal year 2023, more than 72% of approved H-1B petitions were for Indian nationals.
• By contrast, China accounted for just 11.7%.
• Each year, the US caps H-1B visas at 65,000, with an extra 20,000 reserved for advanced US degree holders.

For India’s massive IT and technology sector, the H-1B is a critical gateway into the American market.

A shift to a wage-based allocation system could alter the profile of Indian applicants who succeed, favoring senior, highly paid roles while squeezing out entry- and mid-level professionals.

The Proposed Wage-Based H-1B Model

The wage-based model is not entirely new. In 2021, the Department of Homeland Security had floated a similar proposal, suggesting that H-1B visas be distributed according to four salary categories, prioritizing higher-paying jobs.

Earlier this month, the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) adopted a draft rule that may pave the way for this shift.

If finalized, this would mean that:

• Higher-paying positions in tech, engineering, and finance would be at the front of the line.
• Entry-level or lower-salaried positions where many Indian applicants fall would face steep competition or outright exclusion.

The Political Message

Lutnick’s comments underscore a clear political message: immigration policy under Trump will be geared toward wealth and high-skill.

He framed the reforms as a way to stop America from “importing the bottom quartile” and instead ensure that only the richest and most qualified individuals gain permanent residency.

This aligns with Trump’s broader rhetoric, which often champions American workers first while selectively welcoming elite global talent and investors.

Gold Card vs. Green Card: A Radical Shift

If implemented, the Gold Card would represent a radical shift in US immigration policy.

Unlike the traditional green card system, which is based on employment sponsorship, family reunification, or refugee status, the Gold Card ties residency directly to financial investment.

This is not unprecedented globally countries like Portugal, Malta, and Singapore already run so-called “golden visa” programs that offer residency or citizenship in exchange for investment.

However, applying such a model in the US would be a dramatic departure from decades of immigration practice.

Concerns and Criticism

While some see the reforms as a bold step to protect American jobs and attract high-value immigrants, critics warn of serious unintended consequences.

1. Impact on the Tech Sector:
   • US tech giants, from Google to Microsoft, rely heavily on H-1B visas to bring in engineers and developers.
   • Limiting access could push companies to outsource jobs abroad, weakening the US workforce rather than strengthening it.
2. Equity Concerns:
   • By prioritizing wealth, the Gold Card could shut out talented but less wealthy applicants, undermining diversity.
3. Remote Hiring Trend:
   • As some social media users have noted, US firms may simply hire Indian workers remotely instead of relocating them, which would not help American job seekers.
4. Global Competition:
   • Countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK are actively courting skilled immigrants with more inclusive policies. A restrictive US stance could drive talent elsewhere.

Trump’s Balancing Act

For Trump, the immigration debate is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, he appeals to his base by denouncing “scams” and promising to protect American jobs.

On the other, he recognizes that the US economy needs skilled workers and major investors to stay competitive.

The Gold Card proposal appears to be his administration’s attempt to square that circle:

• Fewer visas for lower-paid workers, who are seen as undercutting Americans.
• Open arms for wealthy investors and highly paid professionals, who can boost the economy without “taking” middle-class jobs.

The Road Ahead

At this stage, Lutnick’s remarks outline a policy vision rather than a finalized law. Actual reforms would require regulatory changes and in some cases, Congressional approval.

Still, the fact that the OIRA has already advanced a draft regulation for a wage-based H-1B allocation suggests that the administration is moving swiftly.

If enacted, the H-1B lottery could be scrapped as early as next year, and the Gold Card program may be launched in parallel.

What It Means for Indian Tech Workers

For Indian professionals, the reforms could create a two-tier system:

• Winners: Senior engineers, managers, and specialists earning at the high end of the pay scale. These candidates may benefit from the wage-based model.
• Losers: Entry-level coders, developers, and mid-salary IT workers. They may find it far harder to secure visas, pushing them either to look elsewhere or work remotely for US firms.

Indian outsourcing giants like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro could be forced to adjust their US hiring strategies, focusing only on top earners.

Conclusion: A Watershed Moment for US Immigration

Howard Lutnick’s sharp words and the Trump administration’s ambitious proposals signal that the future of US immigration is set for a seismic shift.

The H-1B visa lottery may soon be history, the green card could be restructured, and a wealth-driven Gold Card might emerge as a new pathway to residency.

For Indian techies, who have long relied on America’s openness to skilled immigrants, the message is clear: the rules of the game are changing. Whether these reforms ultimately strengthen the US economy or drive talent away remains to be seen. But one thing is certain the immigration debate under Trump is only just heating up.

Also Read: ‘Gold Card’ for wealthy investors, wage test for H-1B: Trump administration’s new immigration push