Recent developments in the Trump administration's Gold Card visa program have shaped trader consensus around low 2026 sales volumes. Launched via executive order in late 2025 as a $1 million contribution pathway to expedited EB-1 or EB-2 residency, the initiative has faced repeated delays in approvals, legal challenges over processing timelines, and limited uptake among eligible applicants. Official updates through May 2026 indicate just one approval and modest application fees paid despite earlier revenue projections, reinforcing skepticism that volumes will scale significantly before year-end. These factors position the 1-100 outcome as the market's leading assessment, with higher tiers reflecting residual uncertainty over potential late-year acceleration.