Trump administration weighs $100,000 bond for some green card applicants

The Trump administration is considering requiring some people applying for US green cards at American consulates abroad to post a bond of up to $100,000, as part of its broader push to ensure immigrants can financially support themselves, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, the US State Department is developing the proposal and is exploring its existing legal authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to require certain immigrant visa applicants to post a financial bond. The idea is still under discussion and no final decision has been made.

The proposal would apply to some applicants seeking immigrant visas—the visas issued to people who plan to permanently move to the US and receive a green card upon arrival. State Department officials have discussed a bond amount of $100,000, although the final figure could be higher or lower depending on the applicant's case, the WSJ reported.


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Officials are also considering launching the policy as a pilot in a small number of countries before deciding whether to expand it further, according to the report.

Refund only after citizenship
People familiar with the discussions told the WSJ that applicants would likely have to pay the bond upfront and receive it back only after becoming US citizens—a process that generally takes at least five years.

The bond would effectively serve as collateral if a green card holder later became unable to financially support themselves. Family members in the US could also be allowed to post the bond on behalf of applicants, the report said.

Responding to the report, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department is examining whether it can use existing legal powers to require certain visa applicants to post a bond.

"President Trump has made clear that those who wish to immigrate to the United States must be financially self-sufficient," Pigott said. He added that the department is exploring authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act to require certain visa applicants to post a bond "as a way to demonstrate they have access to the funds needed to support themselves."

Who could be affected?
Immigrant visas are commonly used by close family members of US citizens, including spouses, parents and siblings, who are applying to permanently settle in the country.

They are less commonly used by foreign workers sponsored by employers, as many employment-based immigrants first enter the US on temporary visas such as the H-1B before later applying for permanent residence while already living in the country.

The US State Department typically issues about 500,000 immigrant visas each year, although that number is expected to decline this year, the WSJ reported.

Immigration lawyers raise concerns
The proposal has drawn criticism from immigration lawyers, who argue that such a large financial requirement could effectively prevent lower-income families from immigrating.

"The goal of bonds is, it seems, to keep out a certain type of immigrant," Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, head of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told the WSJ.

"We're making our system pay-to-play: only the wealthy can come visit, or reunite with family, or seek a better life for themselves."

Critics argue that many prospective immigrants earn far less than US workers and would struggle to arrange such a large sum, even if the money is eventually refunded.

Part of broader immigration push
The report said the proposal fits into the Trump administration's wider effort to tighten immigration rules and place greater emphasis on applicants' financial self-sufficiency.

According to the WSJ, the administration earlier this year paused immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Brazil, while continuing to process temporary visas such as tourist and student visas. The report said officials do not expect that pause to be lifted even if the bond proposal moves forward.

The idea also builds on policies from Trump's first term, including the 2019 Public Charge Rule, which required immigration officers to consider factors such as an applicant's financial resources, education, English proficiency and health when deciding green card applications.

Expansion of existing visa bond programme
The proposed green card bond would also expand a visa bond programme the State Department has already been testing for tourist visas, according to the WSJ.

Under that pilot, launched last year, tourist visa applicants from countries including Malawi and Zambia were required to post refundable bonds of up to $15,000, which could be forfeited if they overstayed their visas or sought another immigration status after entering the US.

The WSJ reported that the programme has since expanded to 50 countries, mostly in Africa. While the State Department has described the initiative as successful, saying about 97% of travellers who paid bonds complied with visa rules, the report said the number of visas issued under the programme has fallen sharply.

According to people familiar with the matter cited by the WSJ, State Department officials ultimately hope to expand the tourist visa bond programme to most applicants from countries that are not part of the US Visa Waiver Program.