The Trump administration is considering a proposal that could significantly increase the financial burden for some people seeking permanent residency in the United States, with certain green card applicants potentially required to post a US$100,000 refundable bond before their applications are approved.
According to reports, the proposal is being developed by the U.S. Department of State as part of a broader effort to tighten legal immigration and ensure that new permanent residents are financially self-sufficient. Under the plan, the bond would apply to selected immigrant visa applicants applying from overseas and would be refundable only after they become U.S. citizens or otherwise satisfy the conditions established by the government.
- Advertisement -
State Department officials said the proposal is intended to discourage immigrants from becoming dependent on public assistance and to reinforce existing financial eligibility requirements for permanent residency. A department spokesperson said officials are working with the Department of Homeland Security to implement immigration policies that protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system while ensuring compliance with federal law.
If implemented, the measure would build on several recent immigration initiatives introduced by the Trump administration, including a pilot programme requiring visa applicants from selected countries to post refundable bonds of up to US$15,000. The administration has also moved to reinstate the public charge rule, which allows immigration officials to consider whether applicants are likely to rely on government assistance when deciding green card applications.
Immigration advocates have criticized the proposed bond, arguing that it could create a two-tier immigration system that favors wealthier applicants while making lawful permanent residence more difficult for lower-income families. They contend that many prospective immigrants already face substantial legal fees, medical examinations and documentation costs, and that an additional six-figure financial requirement would place permanent residency beyond the reach of many otherwise qualified applicants.
The proposal has not yet been finalized, and officials have not identified which countries or categories of applicants would be subject to the requirement. Legal analysts say that if adopted, the bond programme would represent one of the most significant financial changes to the U.S. legal immigration system in decades, further advancing the administration’s broader agenda of tightening both legal and illegal immigration pathways.
