Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, D.C) – The Trump administration is considering a proposal that would require certain applicants for U.S. lawful permanent residency, commonly known as green cards, to post a $100,000 bond as part of efforts to tighten immigration rules and ensure newcomers are financially self-sufficient.
According to the U.S. State Department, the proposed measure is aimed at applicants who could otherwise be denied visas because they are considered likely to become a “public charge” by relying on government assistance after arriving in the United States.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security as part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and protect public benefit programmes.
“We are working closely with the Department of Homeland Security to introduce commonsense and effective procedures to enforce U.S. laws, restore the integrity of our immigration system, and protect American public benefits programs from the financial burden of foreigners who arrive with major expensive medical or other needs,” Pigott said.
He explained that the administration is exploring the use of existing legal authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require certain visa applicants to post a bond as proof that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves.
Part of Broader Immigration Crackdown
The proposal forms part of President Donald Trump’s wider immigration agenda, which has included stricter border enforcement, mass deportation initiatives targeting undocumented migrants, and legislative efforts to curb so-called “birth tourism“—the practice of traveling to the United States to give birth so that a child acquires U.S. citizenship.
If implemented, the $100,000 bond would represent one of the most significant financial requirements ever attached to permanent residency applications. The money would reportedly be paid either by applicants or their relatives in the United States and returned at a later stage, provided the conditions of the bond are met.
The proposal also reflects the administration’s belief that financial guarantees can help reduce reliance on public assistance while ensuring immigrants contribute economically.
Sharp Increase Over Existing Fees
The proposed bond would be far higher than the current costs associated with obtaining a green card.
Applicants already pay filing fees that vary depending on where they apply and the immigration category. Those applying from within the United States generally pay $1,440 for Form I-485, while applicants abroad typically pay a $325 immigrant visa application fee followed by a $235 immigrant processing fee after visa approval.
The proposed bond would therefore far exceed the existing application costs and could significantly raise the financial barrier for many prospective immigrants.
Builds on Existing Visa Bond Program
The administration has already experimented with visa bond programs. Since August last year, certain visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia have been required to post a $15,000 bond, which is forfeited if they overstay their visas or seek to change their immigration status after entering the United States, such as by applying for asylum.
According to reports cited by the administration, similar requirements have since been extended to applicants from about 50 African countries, with officials claiming the programme helped ensure that 97 percent of visa holders complied with the terms of their stay.
However, State Department officials also acknowledged that the programme resulted in fewer visas being issued.
Pigott said that if expanded, the bond system would provide financially capable applicants with “another option to demonstrate their self-sufficiency and qualify for a U.S. visa.”
The proposal remains under consideration, and no final decision has been announced on whether the $100,000 bond requirement will be formally introduced for green card applicants.
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