Whether it’s the pursuit of the American Dream or escaping political turmoil, the idea of finding a place to call home has always been a universal aspiration. Yet, when it comes to the U.S. immigration system, dreams are often boxed in, even for the stars.
But what happens when you’re already living that dream and don’t need to buy a golden ticket to call the U.S. your own? Well, in the face of Donald Trump’s proposal to sell U.S. residency with his $5 million ‘gold card’, there are some Hollywood stars who didn’t need to open their wallets to secure their future.
For those unfamiliar, the Gold Card is a $5 million ticket to permanent U.S. residency, with the potential for full citizenship down the line. This idea has been marketed as a way to bring in wealthy individuals who will supposedly contribute to the country’s economy.
But these ten A-listers didn’t need to buy a card. Their journey to U.S. citizenship was based on passion, talent, and ambition, not a hefty price tag.
1. Samantha Bee – Canada
Born in Toronto, Samantha Bee’s comedic genius skyrocketed after joining The Daily Show in 2003. In 2014, she and her husband, Jason Jones, became dual U.S.-Canadian citizens, with Bee voting in her first election in 2016. But her citizenship didn’t come without a dose of political commentary. On her show, she let loose against Donald Trump’s policies, referring to his refugee ban as a “giant p**sy” and the “executive hairball” Trump’s team pushed out for him to sign (per THR).
Here is a man who’s afraid of germs, stairs, books, unprocessed food, women, birds, Muslims, Russian pee tapes, inner cities and, of course, strong winds. But he can’t recognize the courage of people who survived literal war zones to come to a new country, start over with nothing and keep going each day despite the contempt with which we’re horrible enough to treat them.
Bee is unapologetically vocal about her discontent with Trump and his anti-immigrant stance.
2. Pamela Anderson – Canada
Pamela Anderson, the iconic blonde bombshell from Baywatch, was born in Ladysmith, British Columbia. In 1989, she moved to Los Angeles after her Playboy cover shot opened new doors for her career. By 2004, she became a dual citizen of both the U.S. and Canada. “I felt it was important to become a U.S. citizen in order to vote,” Anderson explained (via PEOPLE).
The actress further added:
U.S. citizenship will allow me, in the future, to petition to bring my children’s grandparents down to the United States to care for them once they become older.
But, even though she embraced her new citizenship, she made it clear she’s “proud” of her Canadian roots. She also voiced her disdain for Donald Trump’s travel ban, retweeting the ACLU’s condemnation with a resounding, “The new Muslim ban is still a Muslim ban.”
3. Jim Carrey – Canada
Known for his over-the-top humor and zany antics, Jim Carrey made the leap from Ontario to Los Angeles in 1979 to pursue his comedic dreams. By 2004, The Mask star became a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, though his Canadian heritage remains dear to him.
“I have no intention of giving up my Canadian heritage,” he said, emphasizing how his roots shaped who he is.
Despite his strong Canadian roots, Carrey has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, turning his X feed into a battleground for sharp-witted jabs at the president’s policies (via Washington Post).
4. Emily Blunt – United Kingdom
Emily Blunt’s journey from London to the American dream was completed when she became a U.S. citizen in August 2015. The actress’ path to citizenship wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. She confessed that after watching a Republican debate the same night she was sworn in, she “thought, ‘This was a terrible mistake.’”
Though she later apologized for her words, Blunt’s decision to become American was probably driven by practical reasons, like tax benefits, rather than an undying love for the political system.
5. Michael J. Fox – Canada
Michael J. Fox, born in Edmonton, Alberta, moved to L.A. at age 18 to follow his acting dreams. By 2000, he became a U.S. citizen, frustrated by his inability to vote as a permanent resident. He has been an advocate for immigrants, especially after his own journey to citizenship. During a rally, Fox spoke passionately about the struggles faced by immigrants and refugees.
You have people who have given up everything, who have lost everything they have. They are struggling to keep their families alive and keep food in their mouths and disease away from their bodies and took tremendous risk to get to this country, and we say no?
His words resonate deeply with the current immigration debate, showcasing his unyielding support for those fighting for a chance at a better life in America.
6. Nicole Kidman – Australia
Nicole Kidman’s American journey started at birth—sort of. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Australian parents, she gained U.S. citizenship because her parents were there temporarily for educational purposes. But Kidman and her husband, Keith Urban, are proud dual citizens of both the U.S. and their respective home countries. Kidman’s remarks on supporting Trump post-election caused a stir (see The Sun), but her balanced approach reflects the complexities that many immigrant celebrities face.
7. Salma Hayek – Mexico
Salma Hayek’s journey from Mexico to Hollywood is a powerful story of perseverance. Born in Veracruz, she moved to the U.S. in 1991 to further her acting career. However, her visa expired during her early days in the country, leaving her in an undocumented status for a short time. She later became a U.S. citizen and has been a fierce critic of Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.
“He calls us criminals — but who is the one who has a lawsuit for Trump University? He calls us r*pists — but who has a lawsuit for r*ping a young girl?” she remarked (via Huffington Post) during a Hillary Clinton campaign call. Her fiery response to Trump’s offensive remarks proves her dedication to standing up for immigrant rights.
8. Kumail Nanjiani – Pakistan
Kumail Nanjiani’s path to the U.S. began when he moved from Karachi, Pakistan, to Iowa for college. By 2001, he was not only an alum of Grinnell College but a proud American citizen. His rise to fame in Silicon Valley coincided with his political outspokenness, particularly against Donald Trump’s immigration policies. His strong stance against Trump’s ban has made him a vocal advocate for immigrant rights (via THR), and his experience as an immigrant gives him a unique perspective on the debate.
9. Natalie Portman – Israel
Born in Jerusalem, Natalie Portman’s family moved to the U.S. when she was just three years old. With dual American and Israeli citizenship, her activism is rooted in both personal and political beliefs. At the Women’s March in Los Angeles, she criticized Donald Trump’s policies and emphasized the importance of gender equality and female leadership in the fight against oppression (via ET):
We need to take inspiration from nature, and remember that we hold the mystery of life, and the seed of every possibility within our bodies. We need to demand freedom from fear over our bodies and control over our own bodies.
In order to effectively do so, we must seek leadership positions, and support other women who do the same. Until we make it normal to have at least half, if not more, of our leaders be female, we will be serving, and with our taxes financing, a government that believes it’s within their domain to make decisions for our future.
Portman’s call for women’s empowerment echoes her unwavering support for immigrant communities.
10. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Austria
Arnold Schwarzenegger made headlines when he left Austria for America at 21 to pursue his dream of bodybuilding. By 1983, he was an American citizen. The actor, who went on to become California’s governor, is also a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s travel orders. He explained that banning people with green cards, who have already been vetted for permanent residency, is a step too far.
“I know what he’s trying to accomplish — his fear about people coming in from other places, causing harm to the country,” he commented (via Deadline), showing his disappointment with the hasty decisions made by the administration.
In a world where U.S. citizenship seems like a golden ticket for those who can afford it, these stars prove that the American Dream is alive and well, even without a hefty price tag. They arrived in America with hope, talent, and dreams bigger than a $5 million price tag—and they continue to use their platforms to fight for the rights of immigrants and those seeking refuge.
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