OPINION
Donald Trump has unleashed a policy perfect for the UK (Image: Getty)
’s public showdown with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy has once again placed him the spotlight. But beyond his foreign policy theatrics, Trump has also made bold statements regarding domestic policy, particularly , a topic that’s never far from his agenda. Amidst the drama with Zelenskyy, Trump unveiled his new immigration policy: the “Trump Gold Card.” This initiative proposes a staggering $5 million green card for residency and a potential path to citizenship, replacing the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor programme.
Trump suggested the funds generated from these card sales could help reduce the country’s $35 trillion debt, with the goal of selling up to one million cards. While many are sceptical about the success of the Gold Card, allegedly set to go on sale imminently, this move highlights the lengths to which governments are willing to go to address immigration issues, which have attracted both legitimate investors and bad actors.
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The EB-5 programme, in particular, has been a masterclass in fraud and mismanagement, from swindling Chinese investors out of $228 million to raising $350 million for a Vermont ski resort, where a casual $200 million conveniently went missing.
These cases make a strong argument for overhauling the current system. While Congress has attempted to address some of these issues through legislation, the programme itself continues to face criticism over transparency and processing delays.
Speaking of immigration issues, the UK also faces its own challenges, not only with its current system but also in failing to attract enough investors. In 2024, the UK lost a net 10,800 millionaires, arguably driven in part by scrapping the Tier 1 visa programme in 2022.
Additionally, the recent rise in capital gains tax and the upcoming implementation of the non-dom tax have left the UK with a system that struggles to remain competitive.
Moreover, with Reform practically neck and neck with Labour in the polls, immigration currently stands as one of the most pressing and contentious issues in the UK. The Government now faces mounting pressure, not only from the opposition but also from within its own voter base, to take decisive action.
Prime Minister Sir may want to take a page from Trump’s playbook by introducing a high-value residency scheme aimed at attracting ultra-high-net-worth individuals and potentially generating millions in investment.
This presents an opportunity to establish a more secure and modernised visa programme, prioritising rigorous vetting to ensure investments come from legitimate sources, something that was sorely lacking in the EB-5 visa programme.
Rather than simply selling citizenship to the highest bidder, the focus should be on a merit-based system that selects individuals based on their ability to drive economic growth and contribute meaningfully to the country.
The Government could allocate a portion of funds to specific sectors or regions, directing investments towards UK businesses, key industries, and infrastructure projects instead of real estate or speculative assets. Additionally, investors could be required to demonstrate experience in managing large-scale or industry-specific ventures.
These investments should support growth sectors, contribute to job creation, back SMEs, and drive regional development, ensuring tangible benefits for the British population.
Such an approach would ensure that investments create lasting value and meaningful contributions to the British economy.
A well-structured residency scheme, much like Trump’s vision, could be a key step in addressing the UK’s immigration challenges, offering a solution that benefits both the Government and the economy.
Without a competitive alternative, the UK risks losing investors and top talent to countries with more attractive programmes.