WASHINGTON – The Trump administration announced Wednesday it will expand a controversial visa bond program, adding 12 more countries to a list requiring citizens to post $15,000 deposits when applying for U.S. entry visas.
A State Department official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the expanded program will affect citizens from a total of 50 nations, with most of the previously targeted countries located in Africa.
Starting April 2nd, nationals from these countries must pay the substantial bond when seeking B1 or B2 visas for business or tourist purposes. According to the official, the program’s purpose is to discourage visitors from remaining in the United States beyond their authorized stay.
The dozen newly added nations include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
Visitors who comply with their visa terms and return home as required will have their bonds refunded, the official explained. Those who never make the trip will also receive their money back.
The Republican president has maintained strict immigration policies since assuming office in January, implementing aggressive deportation measures, canceling visas and green cards, and requiring social media and speech reviews for immigrants.
Civil liberties organizations have criticized Trump’s travel and immigration measures, arguing they undermine due process rights and freedom of expression. The administration and its supporters counter that these policies enhance national security.
Trump previously enacted a travel restriction last June that completely or partially prohibited entry for citizens from 19 countries, citing national security concerns.
The State Department official claimed the bond program has successfully decreased the number of individuals who exceed their authorized stay periods.
The original 38 countries subject to the bond requirement include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
