U.S. Weighs Bond of $100,000 for Some Green-Card Applicants Abroad: WSJ
Officials say the refundable bond would be held for at least five years and could be forfeited if applicants use public benefits.
- The State Department under President Donald Trump is weighing a plan requiring overseas green-card applicants to post refundable bonds of around $100,000 as proof of financial self-sufficiency, initially testing the measure with select countries as a 'proof of concept.'
- This proposal builds on an August 2025 pilot program that required visitors from 50 countries to post refundable bonds of up to $15,000, with State Department data showing roughly 97 per cent compliance among those who paid.
- Under the emerging design, the bond would be paid upfront and held for five years until citizenship eligibility, with funds forfeited if immigrants rely on public support or fail to meet other conditions.
- Sharvari Dalal Dheini, head of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said the plan creates a 'pay-to-play' system, warning 'The goal of bonds is, it seems, to keep out a certain type of immigrant.'
- The administration previously halted visa processing for 75 countries in January, and officials indicate the bond scheme would operate in tandem with these restrictions, deepening financial barriers to legal immigration.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Trump Immigration Policy: State Department Weighing $100,000 Upfront Green Card Fee
Donald Trump's State Department is weighing a plan to require some would‑be immigrants applying for green cards at US consulates overseas to post bonds of around $100,000 upfront. According to recent reports, this potential shift in US immigration policy marks a significant escalation in the administration's focus on ensuring that legal migrants can demonstrate absolute financial independence before entering the country. While the green card bon…
Trump Weighs $100K Bond for Green Card Seekers
"The Trump administration is considering placing a bond of $100,000 on some green-card seekers applying at U.S. consulates abroad, according to people familiar with the plans," the Wall Street Journal reports."The State Department is developing the proposal as part of the Trump administration’s co
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