“Trump Gold Card”: What to know in regards to the $1 million visa

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Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump is constant to transform America’s immigration system with the launch of a $1 million visa.

What occurred? On Wednesday, Trump introduced the launch of the “Trump Gold Card,” a brand new class of expedited visa that features a $1 million price, or “present,” as “proof that the person will considerably profit america.” The brand new program additionally features a “Company Gold Card” with a $2 million price, and a not-yet-available “Platinum Card” for $5 million.

Recipients of the “Gold Card” will obtain everlasting resident standing within the US, often known as a inexperienced card.

What’s the context? Trump previewed it as early as February, on the time suggesting the fee is perhaps $5 million. The “Gold Card” additionally isn’t the one method Trump is trying to monetize the American immigration system; in September, he connected a $100,000 fee to new H-1B visas for expert staff.

The place did this concept come from? Setting a price ticket on a visa isn’t precisely new, within the US or elsewhere, however the “present” requirement with Trump’s “Gold Card” is unusually direct. Related visa classes, resembling so-called golden visas in some European international locations, usually require some type of funding in these international locations, resembling property possession and even charitable giving.

Such applications additionally include severe corruption issues: For instance, Trump has already expressed openness to granting “Gold Playing cards” to Russian oligarchs .

The place does the cash go? That half remains to be unclear; the “present” of $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million will go on to the US authorities, into what Trump described Wednesday as “an account the place we are able to do issues constructive for the nation.”

What’s the large image? “Gold Playing cards” basically add a pay-to-play lane to the US immigration system, opening the door for folks with hundreds of thousands of {dollars} mendacity round — at the same time as Trump tries to slam it shut for asylum-seekers and immigrants from non-white international locations.

And with that, it’s time to log out…

I loved this New York Times story in regards to the slaty-masked tinamou, a pleasant, vocal new species of chook lately found within the mountains of western Brazil; one biologist described it to the Instances as “an opera singer” with “a voice like no different.”

It’s not a completely upbeat piece — scientists fear that the chook’s lack of concern may put it in firm with the now-extinct dodo — however the excellent news is that efforts are already underway to guard it. You'll be able to learn the total story here (it’s a present hyperlink). Have a terrific night, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!