This story appeared in The Logoff, a every day e-newsletter that helps you keep knowledgeable in regards to the Trump administration with out letting political information take over your life. Subscribe right here.
Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump is continuous to rework 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 “present,” as “proof that the person will considerably profit the US.” 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 referred to as a inexperienced card.
What’s the context? Trump previewed it as early as February, on the time suggesting the price could be $5 million. The “Gold Card” additionally isn’t the one manner Trump is making an attempt to monetize the American immigration system; in September, he hooked up 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 “present” requirement with Trump’s “Gold Card” is unusually direct. Comparable visa classes, akin to so-called golden visas in some European international locations, typically require some type of funding in these international locations, akin to 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 “present” 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 optimistic for the nation.”
What’s the large image? “Gold Playing cards” primarily add a pay-to-play lane to the US immigration system, opening the door for individuals 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 sign off…
I loved this New York Instances story in regards to the slaty-masked tinamou, a pleasant, vocal new species of fowl not too long ago found within the mountains of western Brazil; one biologist described it to the Instances as “an opera singer” with “a voice like no different.”
It’s not a completely upbeat piece — scientists fear that the fowl’s lack of concern might put it in firm with the now-extinct dodo — however the excellent news is that efforts are already underway to guard it. You possibly can learn the total story right here (it’s a present hyperlink). Have an ideal night, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
