A new immigration controversy has emerged following Vice President JD Vance's comments on the limitations of green card holders' rights in the United States, reports UNB.
This comes in the wake of former President Donald Trump's proposal for a 'gold card' program, which would offer wealthy foreigners a pathway to U.S. residency for a $5 million fee.
Green cards, formally known as Permanent Resident Cards, allow foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. However, Vance emphasized that permanent residency does not guarantee an indefinite stay.
“A green card holder doesn't have an indefinite right to be in the United States," he stated. "This isn't about free speech—it's about national security and determining who gets to join our national community as American citizens."
U.S. law permits the revocation of green cards under specific conditions, such as criminal activity, extended absences from the country, or violations of immigration rules.
Meanwhile, Trump's proposed 'gold card' initiative aims to attract wealthy foreign nationals by offering them residency and work privileges in exchange for a $5 million investment. "We're going to be selling a gold card," Trump announced from the Oval Office. "This card will provide green card privileges and a pathway to citizenship." He argued that the current immigration system discourages top international talent, particularly from countries like India, from remaining in the U.S. after graduating from prestigious universities.
Trump highlighted the challenges faced by foreign graduates, stating, "A person comes from India, China, Japan, or other countries, attends Harvard or Wharton, receives job offers, but those offers are revoked due to uncertainty about their ability to stay in the country." The 'gold card' program would also allow companies to purchase cards to hire foreign talent, potentially generating billions in revenue to help reduce national debt.
The proposed initiative is expected to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa, which currently requires foreign investors to create jobs in the U.S. to qualify for a green card.
Recent data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reveals that Indian nationals are the primary beneficiaries of U.S. work visas, with 72.3% of all H1B visas issued between October 2022 and September 2023 going to Indian applicants. The debate over immigration policies continues to intensify as the U.S. seeks to balance national security, economic interests, and the integration of global talent.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
