Kenyans have been offered a shortcut to gain permanent residency in the United States, but it will cost them millions of dollars.
Over the past week, there have been talks of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a multi-million dollar pathway for well-off immigrants to permanently reside in the so-called 'land of dreams.'
Dubbed the 'Trump Card,' the pass offers permanent residency free of international taxation for a barter trade of USD5 million, which is roughly Ksh647,000,000.
One notable factor about the card is that it is open to anyone who can match its price tag, from Asian oil tycoons to Africans, including Kenyans.
Trump initially made the announcement on Wednesday last week, coupling his mega announcement with a link to his website where one can sign up for the infamous 'Trump Card'.
While the Trump Card may seem impossible on paper, the U.S. Head of State revealed last week that hundreds of thousands had joined a waiting list to acquire the unique piece of documentation.
"More than fifteen thousand have signed up and joined the Waiting List since we opened the site last night," Trumm announced on Wednesday.
According to Trump, the millions that will be accrued from the programme will 'help balance the budget and strengthen America.'
"The opportunity to live in the Greatest Country, with the largest Economy in the World, is here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The waiting list is now open." Trump's statement went on.
This was the second notable attempt by Trump's government to heavily monetise U.S. citizenship. In February, he launched what he dubbed a 'gold card,' which would target wealthy foreigners who wanted to bypass the typical pathways to earn legal residency.
A quick spot check by Kenyans.co.ke on the Trump website revealed the intricate steps to be taken to acquire the card. For one, applicants will have to provide their first and last names and indicate whether they are applying for the card as an individual or a business.
The applicants are also asked to choose from a list of eight regions where they are from, including Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Africa.
Despite Trump claiming there was a waiting list of eager wealthy people seeking the Trump Pass, experts have poked holes on the new measure, claiming it was not feasible.
According to a David Lesperance, the Managing Director of a Montreal-based immigration and international taxation advice agency, at least 37 million people across the world had the fiscal capacity to buy the card, but hardly any of them can risk their wealth on such an investment.
“One does not spend their entire fortune on a donation to the US government for a Gold Card. In reality, one would only spend 1/6th of their wealth," he said.
