The Trump administration is weighing a policy that would require some applicants for green cards to post a bond of up to $100,000. This move is part of an effort to ensure that new legal permanent residents can financially support themselves upon arrival in the U.S., according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Some officials have suggested that prospective immigrants applying at U.S. consulates abroad could be asked to submit a substantial bond. The exact amount might vary depending on individual circumstances. Green card holders would likely have the bond refunded once they become U.S. citizens, a process that typically takes at least five years.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed to The Journal that the administration is exploring legal avenues to implement such a bond requirement. He stated that "President Trump has made clear that those who wish to immigrate to the United States must be financially self-sufficient." The policy could also allow relatives of a green card applicant to post the bond on their behalf.
This consideration comes shortly after the Trump administration reinstated the "public charge" rule. This rule can deny green cards to immigrants who have used or are deemed likely to use public benefits, such as food stamps, Medicaid, or housing vouchers. The policy mandates that green card applicants must demonstrate they will not become a burden on taxpayers.
The Department of Homeland Security reiterated this stance in a social media post, stating, "We are reaffirming the requirement of self-reliance, protecting public resources, and ending policies that encouraged dependency on hard-working American taxpayers." The original public charge rule was put into effect in February 2020 during Trump's presidency and was later rescinded by the Biden administration.