Trump admin's 'pay-to-play' Gold Card visa program is 'unlawful' and harms more qualified applicants, lawsuit says

Source: Law & Crime

Feb 4th, 2026, 7:17 am


The Trump administration is unlawfully prioritizing wealth over talent through the so-called "Gold Card" visa program, plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday claim.

The federal government, by way of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and several other agencies, implemented President Donald Trump's preferred expedited visa program — in which individuals pay $1 million for priority immigration consideration — late last year.

In December 2025, DHS began accepting applications and the Commerce Department began accepting payments for the controversial program, agency actions quickly effectuating a September 2025 executive order entitled "The Gold Card."

Now, in a 36-page lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a membership organization, and several individual academics from across the globe say the pricey program is "unlawful for several independent reasons."

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/privileges-wealthy-immigrants-over-others-trump-admins-pay-to-play-gold-card-visa-program-is-unlawful-and-harms-more-qualified-applicants-lawsuit-says/