The Trump administration's idea is becoming clearer: To come to the United States, you must have money.
According to a report by the US Wall Street Journal on July 15th, sources familiar with the matter revealed that the US Department of State is planning to impose a deposit of $100,000 on certain foreigners applying for green cards.
Reports say that the plan aims to restrict the immigration of foreigners with limited financial resources and ensure that foreigners in the US can support themselves.
This proposal is still under discussion, but the focus of the discussion has been established: a high security deposit will be required of immigration visa applicants—those who apply to live permanently in the United States and will receive green cards upon arrival. It has been disclosed that some officials in the State Department have suggested a payment of $100,000. Some of them indicated that the amount of the deposit may vary from case to case, possibly being higher or lower than this figure.
Sources familiar with the matter say that U.S. officials are considering conducting trials in a few countries to test the feasibility of this approach.
Several sources said that the applicant or their family members must pay a bond first, and this money can only be recovered after becoming American citizens. This process takes at least five years. If a green card holder is unable to support themselves after moving to the United States, then this bond can be used as collateral.
Regarding this, a spokesperson for the United States Department of State responded: "President Trump has made it clear that those who immigrate to the United States must be economically independent." The spokesperson stated that the Department of State is exploring existing authorities to require certain visa applicants to pay a bond, "as a way to prove their ability to afford the funds needed to support themselves."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Wall Street Journal states that immigration visas are most commonly used for relatives of U.S. citizens, such as spouses, parents, or siblings. Foreign companies tend to use temporary visas, such as H-1B, to hire applicants, and then grant them green cards after they have lived in the United States. The U.S. Department of State typically issues about 500,000 such visas each year, and this number is likely to decrease this year.
U.S. Immigration Lawyers Association Government Relations Officer Shavarri Dalaal-Diny said that high immigration bonds may generate deterrence effect.
Dalar-Dini said, “The purpose of the bond is probably to prevent certain types of immigration. Our system has turned into a system where money buys access—only the rich can come here to visit, reunite with their families, or seek a better life for themselves.”
Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended immigration visa processing for 75 countries, aiming to restrict the immigration of low-income foreigners. This suspension, which took effect in January, affected populous countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil. Officials believe that even if the bond policy is implemented, the suspension will not be lifted.
Reports acknowledge that this bond program will certainly be widely criticized, as most foreigners who wish to move to the United States have lower salaries. Even if the bonds are eventually refunded, they simply cannot afford to pay such a large sum.
The Trump administration has been tightening immigration policies.
Last month, a notice from the United States stating that foreigners in the US had to apply for a green card upon returning to their home country sent chills down the spines of those living abroad.
But a few days later, the U.S. government clarified this “controversial” immigration policy at the end of May, stating that the policy would not have a significant impact on most “high-quality, highly skilled” green card applicants.
According to officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this is not a comprehensive policy change. The decision will still be made by immigration officials on a case-by-case basis.
Regarding this, US magazine Newsweek pointed out that after the Department of Homeland Security's "clarification," the US green card application process has become more chaotic. The US government has not clearly defined when applicants may be required to leave the country, leaving the decision-making power in the hands of individual officials.
