Commerce Secretary Lutnick, during a congressional hearing, responded to a question about the "million-dollar immigrant golden card" by stating: only one application has been approved so far, with hundreds more waiting in line.
The U.S. million-dollar immigrant golden card (Trump Gold Card), launched by the Trump administration at the end of 2025, is a paid expedited green card pathway. Essentially, it involves substantial donations coupled with accelerated processing, and is tied to existing employment-based immigration categories (EB-1/EB-2 NIW). It is not a new green card category, does not allow applicants to bypass visa backlogs, and the investment funds are non-refundable.
During a congressional hearing, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that the "million-dollar immigrant golden card" program has approved only one individual thus far, with several hundred others still awaiting review. This statement completely dispels the earlier narrative of "250,000 people on the waiting list," exposing the project’s awkward real-world struggles as a political gamble gone awry.
Harsh Reality Check: From "250,000 on the waitlist" to "only one approved"
Lutnick’s testimony stands in stark contrast to the previously painted image of booming demand, revealing the project's severe "high praise, low uptake" dilemma.
Unintentionally, Lutnick’s remarks admitted the failed start of the "golden card" initiative. What was once touted as a brilliant solution capable of attracting top-tier talent and helping resolve budget deficits has quickly become a problematic project plagued by legal flaws, market indifference, and political controversy. Behind this single approved case lie the hesitations of hundreds of thousands of potential applicants and widespread instability within the immigration system.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863298764194816/
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