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Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump is continuous to transform America’s immigration system with the launch of a $1 million visa.
What occurred? On Wednesday, Trump introduced the launch of the “Trump Gold Card,” a brand new class of expedited visa that features a $1 million payment, or “reward,” as “proof that the person will considerably profit america.” The brand new program additionally features a “Company Gold Card” with a $2 million payment, and a not-yet-available “Platinum Card” for $5 million.
Recipients of the “Gold Card” will obtain everlasting resident standing within the US, also called a inexperienced card.
What’s the context? Trump previewed it as early as February, on the time suggesting the associated fee is likely to be $5 million. The “Gold Card” additionally isn’t the one approach Trump is trying to monetize the American immigration system; in September, he connected a $100,000 payment to new H-1B visas for expert employees.
The place did this concept come from? Setting a price ticket on a visa isn’t precisely new, within the US or elsewhere, however the “reward” requirement with Trump’s “Gold Card” is unusually direct. Related visa classes, reminiscent of so-called golden visas in some European international locations, typically require some type of funding in these international locations, reminiscent of property possession and even charitable giving.
Such packages additionally include severe corruption considerations: For instance, Trump has already expressed openness to granting “Gold Playing cards” to Russian oligarchs.
The place does the cash go? That half continues to be unclear; the “reward” of $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million will go on to the US authorities, into what Trump described Wednesday as “an account the place we will do issues constructive for the nation.”
What’s the massive image? “Gold Playing cards” basically add a pay-to-play lane to the US immigration system, opening the door for folks with tens of millions of {dollars} mendacity round — at the same time as Trump tries to slam it shut for asylum-seekers and immigrants from non-white international locations.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
I loved this New York Occasions story concerning the slaty-masked tinamou, a pleasant, vocal new species of chicken just lately found within the mountains of western Brazil; one biologist described it to the Occasions as “an opera singer” with “a voice like no different.”
It’s not a completely upbeat piece — scientists fear that the chicken’s lack of concern may put it in firm with the now-extinct dodo — however the excellent news is that efforts are already underway to guard it. You may learn the total story right here (it’s a present hyperlink). Have an amazing night, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
