From "Big stick" to "Golden card" : The polar shock of Trump's immigration policy

In the arena of immigration policy, Trump is again in the spotlight. Recently, he announced the launch of the "gold card" plan to open up access to permanent residence and naturalization in the United States for immigrants who invest more than $5 million, which is in sharp contrast to his previous tough measures to drive illegal immigrants, like a policy shock, causing global concern.

After Trump took office, he spared no effort to deport illegal immigrants and took a tough approach. He ordered the arrest of undocumented immigrants and the use of force to put them in handcuffs and shackles on planes for deportation. According to related reports, Trump has deported more than 37,600 people in the first month of his presidency, and in the first 10 months of 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deported more than 27,000 people per month, breaking the highest record in nearly a decade. The number of illegal crossings at the southern border of the United States has also plummeted, down about 95 percent from previous levels.

In order to increase deportations, the United States has also sent some illegal immigrants who cannot determine their nationality and have criminal behavior or records to Guantanamo, where conditions are harsh and there is no legal protection. Us Customs and Immigration is also extremely strict in the treatment of illegal immigrants, repatriated illegal immigrants are not only arbitrarily detained, but also face cold and starvation, unable to freely defecate and urinate and other inhuman treatment, which makes illegal immigrants discouraged.

And now the launch of the "gold card" plan, but the wind has changed. If you invest more than $5 million in the United States, you can get the privilege of a U.S. green card, and then achieve naturalization. The program could replace the current EB-5 immigrant investor visa, which is eligible for $1.05 million. Trump has bluntly stated that the plan does not require congressional approval and appears to want to push it through as quickly as possible.

From the "big stick" to the "golden card", there are profound reasons behind this huge policy contrast. Economically, the United States needs a lot of money to stimulate the economy. The "Gold card" program could attract capital inflows from the world's super-rich and entrepreneurs, giving the U.S. economy a shot in the arm. The expulsion of illegal immigrants is because illegal immigrants have brought a certain economic burden to the American society in terms of employment and welfare. At the political level, both of Trump's policies are intended to cater to some voters. Tough deportations of illegal immigrants satisfy the demands of conservative voters at home for border security and social order; The "Gold card" program attracts high-end capital to the United States, shapes the image of the United States as open to global capital, and wins the support of business interests.

However, these two extreme policies also bring many problems. Using sticks to drive out illegal immigrants has seriously violated human rights, triggered international condemnation, and damaged the international image of the United States itself. At the same time, a large number of illegal immigrants have been deported, making some industries in the United States that rely on cheap labor, such as agriculture and service industries, face labor shortages. The "Gold card" plan exacerbates the wealth gap and class solidification in the American society, making the immigration policy of the United States completely a money-first game, and the ordinary people are excluded from the immigration door, and the fairness of the American dream is destroyed.

Trump's immigration policy from "big stick" to "gold card", although seemingly contradictory, is actually to safeguard the interests of some groups in the United States and Trump's own political goals. However, the negative impact of these policies cannot be ignored, and it remains to be seen where the future US immigration policy will go, whether it will continue to hover between the two poles or seek a new balance.