As EB-5 Winds Down, Amicus International Offers Secure, Legal Second Citizenship Alternatives for Privacy-Conscious Global Citizens
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration proposal allowing wealthy foreigners to buy their way into the United States for a price tag of $5 million.
Under what he calls a “Gold Visa” initiative, applicants would receive immediate U.S. residency and a “strong path to citizenship,” bypassing traditional wait times and eligibility hurdles that affect most immigrants.
While Trump described the plan as revolutionary, it closely mirrors the now-controversial citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs in Europe and the Caribbean, many of which are currently under legal and ethical scrutiny. Even more notably, this announcement arrives as the United States phases out its existing EB-5 visa program. This long-standing investment-based residency program has been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration for over three decades.
“This is a clear pivot from structured immigration policy to commodified citizenship,” said a senior immigration policy analyst in Washington. “It might seem innovative, but in reality, it’s a high-risk, high-price shortcut that raises questions about fairness, national security, and corruption exposure.”
What Is the EB-5 Visa Program — And Why Is It Ending?
Established by Congress in 1990, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created to attract foreign investment and stimulate job creation in the United States. Foreigners who invested $1 million (or $800,000 in targeted employment areas) into a U.S.-based enterprise that created at least 10 full-time jobs were eligible for a green card.
Key Benefits of EB-5:
- Direct pathway to permanent residency
- Eligibility for citizenship within five years
- Inclusion of spouse and dependent children
- Lower investment thresholds for rural or high-unemployment areas
However, critics of EB-5 have long flagged the program’s vulnerability to fraud, abuse, and misuse by foreign nationals seeking to evade criminal investigations or financial oversight in their home countries. Several high-profile scandals, including fraudulent regional center investments and forged job creation numbers, prompted Congress to reexamine the program’s effectiveness.
While some elements of EB-5 remain in limited use, the broader policy is now being replaced — or overshadowed — by proposals like Trump’s $5 million “Gold Visa.”
How Trump’s ‘Gold Visa’ Compares to EB-5
| Feature | EB-5 Visa Program | Proposed ‘Gold Visa’ |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Amount | $800,000–$1 million | $5 million |
| Job Creation Required? | Yes (10 U.S. jobs) | No stated requirement |
| Timeline to Citizenship | 5 years | “Strong path” unspecified |
| Vetting Requirements | Extensive (USCIS-reviewed) | Unclear or minimal |
| Transparency | Governed by U.S. immigration law | Executive proposal, no Congressional oversight yet |
The absence of job creation or regional development criteria under the proposed Gold Visa significantly reduces its benefit to the U.S. economy, raising concerns that the initiative is designed more to attract capital than contribute to growth or national interest.
“We are essentially putting a price on citizenship with no expectation of benefit in return,” a former USCIS officer commented. “That’s not immigration reform; that’s immigration for sale.”
The Global Risk of Citizenship-for-Sale Models
Countries such as Malta, Cyprus, and Saint Kitts & Nevis have operated similar high-dollar immigration programs for years. However, many of these programs have attracted criminal actors, tax evaders, and fugitives looking to escape extradition or financial sanctions.
Case Study: Cyprus Passport Scandal
In 2020, undercover investigations revealed that Cypriot officials were helping individuals with criminal records obtain EU citizenship through investment programs. This led to the eventual cancellation of Cyprus’s passport scheme after intense public backlash and European Union intervention.
“The lesson here is clear: when citizenship is sold without rigorous vetting, it becomes a shield for crime,” said a European anti-corruption investigator.
Amicus International Offers Legal, Transparent, and Ethical Alternatives
Amicus International Consulting, a global leader in legal identity solutions and second citizenship programs, strongly opposes citizenship-for-sale initiatives that compromise public trust and national security. Instead, Amicus offers fully legal, transparent, and compliance-focused pathways to second citizenship and global mobility.
Amicus Services Include:
- Second Citizenship by Legal Means: Through ancestry, long-term residency, or investment programs backed by vetted government partnerships.
- Name Change and Identity Management: For high-risk individuals such as whistleblowers, journalists, or political dissidents seeking safety.
- Residency Planning: Tailored legal residencies in safe jurisdictions with strong human rights and privacy protections.
- Digital and Financial Privacy Consulting: Secure structuring for clients requiring anonymity within legal frameworks.
“Our goal is not to sell passports,” a company spokesperson said. “Our mission is to help individuals legally restructure their identities, protect their families, and regain personal freedom — without compromising global ethics or legal compliance.”
Case Study: Legal Relocation for an Anti-Corruption Journalist
In 2023, Amicus assisted a Southeast Asian investigative journalist whose work had exposed government-level corruption. After receiving threats, the journalist was granted legal residency in a Caribbean jurisdiction through a government program with stringent vetting. The individual now lives safely abroad, continuing to write under legal protection and with a lawfully established new identity.
Case Study: Financial Executive Pursuing Asset Security
A Latin American financial executive facing extortion threats sought Amicus’ help in relocating his family. Rather than opting for a high-risk passport program, the client was guided through a legitimate residency process in the EU, where he met all legal thresholds, passed financial audits, and was granted long-term residency without risk to either jurisdiction.
Why Amicus Solutions Are Different
Unlike Trump’s “Gold Visa” idea or discredited global CBI schemes, Amicus operates under a strict due diligence protocol:
- Clients are screened against INTERPOL, OFAC, FATF, and sanctions databases
- All identity solutions comply with OECD tax transparency rules
- Government relationships are built on legal treaties and anti-money laundering frameworks
- Amicus does not work with individuals engaged in criminal activity or under current prosecution
This clear ethical boundary sets Amicus apart from CBI facilitators who accept cash in exchange for questionable documentation.
What This Means for Global Mobility and Security
Though still in the conceptual stage, Trump’s proposal marks a potential turning point in U.S. immigration that could encourage other countries to monetize citizenship without regard for the consequences. If implemented without safeguards, the $5 million visa plan could:
- Undermine the integrity of U.S. immigration policy
- Open doors for criminal actors to enter the U.S.
- Create a two-tiered system favouring wealth over merit or humanitarian need
In contrast, Amicus International’s approach promotes lawful, ethical migration options that enhance global mobility while respecting national laws and security priorities.
📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca
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