But for some wealthy foreign nationals, the path to citizenship can be as easy as cutting a million-dollar check, and the process is perfectly legal—even encouraged.

不過對於某些富裕的人來說，成為美國公民可以像寫張一百萬美元支票般容易，而這過程是絕對合法，甚至是被鼓勵的。

So how exactly can somebody buy their way to U.S. citizenship?

所以到底要怎麼買到美國公民身份呢？

Well, the current system for investment-based visas is known as the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program.

目前美國的投資移民簽證為 EB-5 投資移民計畫

In 2014 nearly 11,000 investors from around the world have taken advantage of this program—roughly 85% of them Chinese nationals.

2014 年來自全球各地，有將近 11,000 個投資者透過這個辦法取得簽證，其中大約有百分之 85 為中國人。

This has sparked outcry in recent years that entry into the United States has become more of a commodity than an equal opportunity.

這近年來吵得沸沸揚揚，因為成為美國公民已經變成商品而非一個平等的機會。

But in fact EB-5 is nothing new.

不過事實上 EB-5 移民簽證並不是新的政策。

This visa category was established as part of the Immigration Act of 1990.

這類型的簽證早已在 1990 年的移民法案成立。

The act was a major overhaul of a long outdated immigration policy, and increased the number of yearly immigrants from 500,000 to 700,000, as well as providing allocations for immediate family members of existing nationals.

這個法案主要在修改過時的舊式移民法案，把每年的移民人數從五十萬增加到七十萬，同時提供了現任美國公民的直系親屬名額。

It also removed restrictions on homosexuality, English language requirements, and introduced a series of new visa categories.

也移除了對同志身份、英語能力的限制，更增加了其他類型的簽證。

Among them was a priority on significant investors in the US economy known as the EB-5.

EB-5 投資移民簽證是其中最有優先權的，也是美國經濟的大戶投資人。

As part of this new category, not only would applicants have to invest 1 million dollars, or $500,000 if in an economically struggling area, they would also have to guarantee employment for at least 10 American workers.

申請投資的移民需要投資一百萬美元，或是在經濟較困難的地區投資五十萬美元，同時要提供至少十位美國人工作機會。

Thereby promoting a foreign influx of capital and economic growth for the United States.

因此，這使美國的移民人數及經濟成長了不少。

In exchange, these financiers would receive green card status, and most of the time, they'd make back their money within a few years.

作為回報，這些投資者會獲得綠卡，大多數的投資者會在幾年之內賺回所投資的錢。

After five years, these green card holders are eligible for full US citizenship.

五年之後，綠卡持有者即有權申請美國公民身份。

But in spite of this lucrative opportunity, golden visas have only become popular within the last decade.

儘管這是個很誘人的機會，但移民投資是在近十年才開始盛行。

Between 1990 and 2007, the program never came anywhere close to its yearly 10,000 applicant quota.

1990 年到 2007 年間，投資移民人數從未到達每年一萬人的上限。

According to Fortune, in 2003, the government only issued 65 EB-5 visas to foreign investors.

2003 年的 Fortune 雜誌指出，美國政府只發放了 65 個投資移民簽證。

So why such an influx today?

那為什麼近年會有這麼大的改變呢？

Well, two factors dramatically increased the number of applicants.

這裡有兩個使移民人數飆升的原因。

The first was the global economic crisis in 2008.

第一個是在 2008 年的全球經融危機。

Banks in the United States suddenly tightened up both the criteria necessary to lend money to businesses as well as the amount of money available to lend.

美國的銀行瞬間將企業貸款的額度及借貸的額度緊縮。

This made the EB-5 program an attractive venue for businesses to raise capital.

這使 EB-5 計畫成為企業集資的熱門集散地。

Additionally, in the last decade, China's economy has skyrocketed with the number of Chinese millionaires jumping by nearly 900 percent when compared to 2006.

除此之外，中國的經濟在過去十年突飛猛進，比起 2006 年，中國百萬富翁的人數增加了約 900%。

But while this system has generated a significant amount of economic growth and American jobs, the controversies surrounding the program's preference for the wealthy remains.

這個移民系統不可否認地促進了美國經濟發展及就業機會，這個計畫對於富人的偏好始終存在爭議。

In February 2017, senators Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to end the EB-5 visa system, calling it inherently flawed and pointing to fraud abuse and threats to security.

在 2017 年二月，參議員 Chuck Grassley 和 Dianne Feinstein 帶領立法試圖廢止 EB-5 簽證系統，指出此簽證的缺點、延伸出的詐騙以及對安全的威脅。

But the United States isn't the only country to implement such a golden visa program.

但美國並非唯一可以投資移民的國家。

To learn where else it's possible to buy citizenship outright, check out this video.

如果想知道更多可以買簽證的國家，請看這部影片。

Thanks for watching Now This World.

謝謝收看 Now This World。

Please make sure to let us know down below in the comments what topics and series you want to see, and don't forget to like and subscribe for new videos every week.

請在留言區讓我們知道你們想看什麼樣的主題，別忘了要按讚及訂閱每週的新影片。