Donald Trump’s new Gold Card visa program is reportedly facing skepticism from immigration attorneys. As per reports, lawyers who specialize in advising a wealthy clientele have warned prospective applicants against pursuing the program.
Immigration expert reportedly warns against Donald Trump’s gold card
According to a recent report by The Washington Post, immigration attorneys, who work with a wealthy clientele, are warning clients against applying for Donald Trump‘s Gold Card visa program. Among the many lawyers is Michael Wildes, the attorney who represented First Lady Melania Trump during her immigration to the U.S. in 1996.
The Washington Post reported that Wildes and other lawyers have refused to work with clients who have already applied for the visa. According to them, the program lacked a sufficient legal basis for their office to help the clients with the application. “It would be unethical of me to retain them,” Wildes stated.
The Trump administration launched the Gold Card visa program in December 2025. According to the official website for the program, applicants must pay a $15,000 DHS processing fee, followed by a donation of $1 million after a background approval. The program then promises “U.S. residency in record time.”
The program also states that “a successful applicant receives lawful permanent resident status as an EB-1 or EB-2 visa holder.” The attorneys have noted the Gold Card visa’s dependence on these two existing visa programs instead of being created through an act of Congress as a new form of visa. According to them, this raises concern over the program’s future. Reportedly, multiple groups, including the American Association of University Professors, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the Gold Card program.
In a legal filing last week, the Department of Homeland Security revealed that only 338 people had submitted a request for a Gold Card so far, out of which only 165 people have paid the $15,000 processing fee. According to the report, officials have approved only one person for the Gold Card visa but have not disclosed their identity.
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh on Mandatory.
