In simultaneous announcements on September 19, President Trump moved to limit skilled H-1B visas by imposing a $100,000 fee for companies seeking workers, while at the same time openly welcoming wealthy immigrants willing to ‘gift’ the U.S. government $1 million (or $2 million if it is a corporation).

Buy your way into the USA.

While the White House touts it is all under the guise of supporting American workers, the reality is that Trump wants to limit non-rich immigrants (usually from non-white countries) from entering the United States to work.

In the ‘Fact’ sheet provided by the White House, the Administration makes the following absurd statement:

“Since President Trump returned to office, all employment gains have gone to American-born workers—unlike last year during the same period under President Biden, when all employment gains went to foreign-born workers.”

Really?

And just where exactly is the Administration getting this claim from?

The U.S. government does not specifically track unemployment rates by individual visa status. The primary agency for monitoring national unemployment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), collects data through household surveys that categorize employment status based on nativity, not visa type. 

Furthermore, analyses from institutions like the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis have used census data to examine unemployment rates for “recent immigrants” versus “non-recent immigrants.” This research indicates that recent immigrants often face higher unemployment rates; however, it does not specify the types of visas involved. 

Additionally, the US unemployment rate is among the lowest in the G7, at just 4.3% (compared to similar countries like Canada, which are currently seeing unemployment rates over 7%).

The reality is America needs foreign workers.

Contrast this to the announcement on the same day about the ‘Gold Card’ program, which essentially allows wealthy individuals (regardless of their actual skills or abilities) to buy their own US Visa and move to the front of the US immigration line.

The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, to establish a ‘Gold Card’ program. The program facilitates expedited immigrant visas for individuals donating $1 million or $2 million, if paid for by a corporation or similar entity on behalf of an individual. The Order instructs that these gifts serve as evidence of exceptional business ability and national benefit, expediting adjudication consistent with legal and security concerns.

So, basically, if you’ve got cash and you’re willing to ‘gift’ to the USA, you’ll be welcome with open arms, but if you are a hardworking immigrant seeking a job and a better life, you’re not welcome.

One has to wonder what it means for American society when the Administration values wealth over everything else.