Green card seekers in new Idaho gold rush

Wealthy Beijing residents are now considering a gold mine investment in the state of Idaho, in the United States. But instead of looking for profits, they are hoping to realize their "American dream" and obtain a Green Card, evidence of lawful permanent resident status in the US.

As early as 1860, around 8,000 Chinese laborers worked in a gold mine in Idaho. However, Chinese people, if they are wealthy enough, can now play a role as investors in Idaho's gold mine and receive EB-5 visas, said a brochure handed out by Beijing Worldway Immigration Service Co, the organizer of this promotion.

"This is very much similar to the 'gold rush' which happened in the 19th century, but we are just looking for permanent residency in the United States, not money," said a man surnamed Wang, who refused to reveal his full name, at a promotion for an US investor immigration program in Beijing.