US President Donald Trump has announced a new ‘Trump Gold Card’ programme aimed at retaining top international graduates from American universities, including thousands from India.
Speaking at a White House roundtable with leading technology CEOs on Wednesday, Trump criticised the current immigration system as ridiculous, noting it forced highly trained talent to return to their home countries after completing their studies.
“You graduate, number one from your college, and there’s no way of guaranteeing that they’re able to stay in the country,” Trump said, highlighting the uncertainty faced by students from India, China, France, and other nations.
Howard Lutnick, who outlined the programme, explained that individuals could obtain a Gold Card for $1 million. In comparison, companies could purchase one for $2 million to retain employees who have undergone rigorous government vetting. The process, costing $15,000, ensures that candidates absolutely qualify to be an American.
Once approved, employees would be eligible for citizenship after five years, and companies could rotate foreign employees through long-term, employment-linked residency.
Trump described the initiative as a gift to the United States of America that would also generate billions of dollars in revenue for the US Treasury, while preventing companies from shifting talent to countries such as Canada due to visa uncertainties.
Tech Leaders Back Workforce Stability
The roundtable included CEOs from major technology firms, including Michael Dell, Arvind Krishna of IBM, and Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm.
While the executives did not directly address immigration policy, they emphasised the need for a stable workforce and affordable energy to support investments in AI and semiconductor manufacturing.
Trump praised their contributions and reiterated the US’s commitment to technological dominance, highlighting the growth in AI and manufacturing under his administration.
The Gold Card represents a major shift in US immigration policy, particularly impacting Indian students and skilled professionals.
India supplies the second-largest contingent of foreign students in the US and dominates H-1B visa allocations. For US tech firms, the programme addresses longstanding challenges posed by visa caps, lotteries, and regulatory uncertainty, potentially strengthening the country’s competitiveness in science and technology sectors.
By linking long-term residency and citizenship to corporate retention, the Trump Gold Card seeks to secure America’s access to global talent while providing a clear pathway for top graduates to contribute to the nation’s innovation and economic growth.
Also Read: US Lawmakers Stress India As ‘Defining Partner Of The 21st Century’ Against China
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