Trump's $5M Visa Plan Fueled by DOGE Team

A controversial plan conceived during the Trump administration to sell expedited routes to U.S. citizenship for a hefty $5 million fee is reportedly being implemented with the assistance of developers linked to Elon Musk’s Dogecoin project. According to a new report in The New York Times, the “gold card” visa scheme – initially discussed by former President Donald Trump in February – aims to offer a pathway for “very high-level people” to gain permanent residency.

The plan intends to supersede the existing EB-5 visa program, which grants green cards to foreign nationals investing at least $800,000 (or $1.05 million in certain areas) and creating ten American jobs. The EB-5 program generated approximately $4 billion in federal revenue last year.

The Times reports that engineers associated with Dogecoin are currently developing the website and application process for the gold cards, working directly with the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

However, the individuals leading the effort raise significant concerns. Edward Coristine, 19, known online as “Big Balls,” and Marko Elez, 26, are reportedly heading the team responsible for attracting wealthy immigrants. The Times highlights that Elez has a history of posting racist views on social media, advocating for eugenics-based immigration policies.

Howard Lutnick, Trump’s former commerce secretary, claimed in a recent podcast that he had already sold 1,000 of the visas, though a source close to the project disputes this, stating no funds have yet been exchanged. Lutnick described the gold card as a replacement for the green card, granting permanent residency to those who pay the $5 million fee, provided they are “good people” who adhere to the law and pass vetting procedures.

This initiative feels deeply problematic. While attracting foreign investment can benefit the U.S. economy, tying citizenship to wealth and entrusting the implementation to individuals with demonstrably prejudiced views is a dangerous combination. The potential for abuse and the erosion of equitable immigration principles are substantial. The reported claims of already selling a thousand visas, if inaccurate, further muddy the waters and raise questions about transparency and accountability. The entire scheme appears to prioritize financial gain over fundamental principles of fairness and inclusivity.