Story perspectives

Doctors Sue Gold-Card Visa Over Pay-to-Play Residency

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

A federal lawsuit by noncitizen doctors and researchers alleges the gold-card visa fast-tracks wealthy foreigners and sidelines qualified immigrants.
Only one unnamed applicant has been approved since the program opened in December 2025.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said 200,000 were lining up, but later reported only hundreds paid the $15,000 fee.
The visa demands a $1 million payment, a $15,000 DHS fee and a $2 million sponsor contribution, creating pay-to-play path to residency.

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Story summary

A federal lawsuit by noncitizen doctors and researchers alleges the gold-card visa fast-tracks wealthy foreigners and sidelines qualified immigrants.
Only one unnamed applicant has been approved since the program opened in December 2025.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said 200,000 were lining up, but later reported only hundreds paid the $15,000 fee.
The visa demands a $1 million payment, a $15,000 DHS fee and a $2 million sponsor contribution, creating pay-to-play path to residency.