The Trump administration is proposing that some immigrants post a $100,000 bond as part of the green card application process. According to The Hill, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott spoke about the proposed plan, saying the administration will welcome immigrants who are “financially self-sufficient” and can “contribute to our society more than they take from it.”
“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 told The Hill.
What is the plan for Trump’s proposed $100,000 bond?
The Trump administration said the plan is to collect a $100,000 bond from green card applicants or their family members in the U.S., then return the payment at a later time. Pigott said this plan would give “applicants who have the resources to pay their own way another option to demonstrate their self-sufficiency and qualify for a U.S. visa.”
“As part of this comprehensive initiative, the Department is exploring the use of a long-standing legal authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require certain visa applicants — those who are otherwise ineligible for a visa because they are likely become a public charge — to post a bond as a way to demonstrate they have access to the funds needed to support themselves,” Pigott said.
The Trump administration previously failed after trying to implement a $100,000 payment for H-1B visa applications. A federal judge struck down that plan, saying the Trump administration exceeded its authority.
What is the current cost for a green card application?
Applicants who file a Form I-485 within the country are asked to pay $1,440. However, there are additional fees to file for a work visa. People who file from outside the U.S. are required to pay a $325 DS-260 visa application fee. There is also a $235 fee to process the application after the visa is approved.
