Headlines:
President Trump Proposes ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program to Change EB-5 Visa – President Trump stated he needs to promote a “gold card” visa for $5 million to noncitizens, together with each people and firms. The visa would come with everlasting residence with work authorization and a path to U.S. citizenship. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that the brand new program, which has not been launched but, would exchange the EB-5 visa program in two weeks.
‘Present Me Your Papers’: Trump Administration Proclaims Undocumented Immigrant Registry – The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) introduced enforcement of a regulation requiring undocumented immigrants to register with the federal authorities, be fingerprinted, and notify the federal government of tackle adjustments. DHS stated that failure to register “is against the law that might lead to a superb, imprisonment, or each.”
DOS Proclaims Growth of Visa Restriction Coverage for People Exploiting Cuban Labor – The Division of State introduced the enlargement of an current Cuba-related visa restriction coverage that targets compelled labor linked to the Cuban labor export program.
Particulars:
President Trump Proposes ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program to Change EB-5 Visa
President Trump stated he needs to promote a “gold card” visa for $5 million to noncitizens, together with each people and firms. The visa would come with everlasting residence with work authorization and a path to U.S. citizenship. A brand new visa program would require passage by Congress, however Mr. Trump stated he wouldn’t want congressional approval “as a result of we’re not doing citizenship, we’re doing the cardboard.” He stated that gold card holders would “be rich and so they’ll achieve success and so they’ll be spending some huge cash and paying a whole lot of taxes and using lots of people, and we expect it’s going to be extraordinarily profitable.”
In keeping with stories, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that the brand new program would exchange the EB-5 visa program in two weeks. He additionally claimed that 250,000 folks have been “ready in line” for it, though an software course of hasn’t been established but. The present EB-5 immigrant investor program consists of funding and job-creation necessities. Mr. Lutnick stated the EB-5 program was “filled with nonsense” and “low priced.” It was unclear whether or not current EB-5 visa holders can be affected if this system have been to be shut down and whether or not the Trump administration would search congressional approval for both the brand new “gold card” program or shutting down the EB-5 program. In 2022, Congress prolonged the EB-5 program till 2027.
The “gold card” thought is much like “golden visa” applications in lots of different nations, though some have ended such applications as a consequence of points together with cash laundering, safety issues, and driving up housing costs. The European Union has beneficial in opposition to such applications. When requested if gold card candidates can be vetted, Mr. Lutnick stated, “In fact. Deeply vetted. And we stated that from the primary minute.… These are vetted folks.” Mr. Lutnick additionally stated the brand new program would deliver “enormous cash for America.” Mr. Trump was requested whether or not Russian oligarchs would qualify, and he replied, “Yeah, presumably.”
‘Present Me Your Papers’: Trump Administration Proclaims Undocumented Immigrant Registry
On February 25, 2025, the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) introduced enforcement of an current regulation requiring undocumented immigrants to register with the federal authorities, be fingerprinted, and notify the federal government of tackle adjustments. DHS stated that failure to register “is against the law that might lead to a superb, imprisonment, or each.”
DHS stated those that “should apply for registration” embrace:
- “All aliens 14 years of age or older who weren’t registered and fingerprinted (if required) when making use of for a visa to enter america and who stay in america for 30 days or longer. They have to apply earlier than the expiration of these 30 days.
- The dad and mom and authorized guardians of aliens lower than 14 years of age who haven’t been registered and stay in america for 30 days or longer, previous to the expiration of these 30 days.
- Any alien, whether or not beforehand registered or not, who turns 14 years previous in america, inside 30 days after their 14th“
Those that “haven’t registered” embrace:
- “Aliens who’re current in america with out inspection and admission or inspection and parole;
- Canadian guests who entered america at land ports of entry and weren’t issued proof of registration; and
- Aliens who submitted a number of profit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), together with functions for Deferred Motion for Childhood Arrivals or Non permanent Protected Standing, who weren’t issued proof of registration.”
American Indians born in Canada who entered america underneath part 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and members of the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians who entered america underneath the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act, are not required to register.
DHS stated it might quickly announce a type and course of for registration. “Starting Feb. 25, 2025, aliens required to register ought to create a USCIS on-line account in preparation for the registration course of. See our Easy methods to Create a USCIS On-line Account web page for extra data. As soon as the registration course of is carried out, aliens will submit their registration, and fogeys and guardians will submit registration functions on behalf of their kids underneath 14, by their USCIS on-line account.”
Greg Chen, a senior director of presidency relations for the American Immigration Legal professionals Affiliation, stated the registration requirement may result in a “nationwide show-me-your-papers regime.” It stays to be seen what number of undocumented immigrants have a tendency to register or how the registration requirement might be enforced. Within the meantime, DHS reportedly requested the Inside Income Service (IRS) for the house addresses of about 700,000 folks believed to be in america with out authorization and requested auditors and felony investigators to probe companies suspected of hiring unauthorized staff. The IRS refused to offer the house addresses to DHS however is in search of different methods to assist.
DOS Proclaims Growth of Visa Restriction Coverage for People Exploiting Cuban Labor
On February 25, 2025, the Division of State (DOS) introduced the enlargement of “an current Cuba-related visa restriction coverage that targets compelled labor linked to the Cuban labor export program. This expanded coverage applies to present or former Cuban authorities officers, and different people, together with overseas authorities officers, who’re believed to be liable for, or concerned in, the Cuban labor export program, significantly Cuba’s abroad medical missions,” together with their rapid relations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose dad and mom have been Cuban immigrants, stated in a press release that “Cuba continues to revenue from the compelled labor of its staff and the regime’s abusive and coercive labor practices are properly documented. Cuba’s labor export applications, which embrace the medical missions, enrich the Cuban regime, and within the case of Cuba’s abroad medical missions, deprive abnormal Cubans of the medical care they desperately want of their dwelling nation.”
