The United States is on the cusp of launching its most exciting new pilot program. This new program would require certain incoming travelers to pay bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to receive admission. This new initiative is aimed particularly at independent leisure and business travelers who want B-1 or B-2 visas to come to the country. The program’s stated purpose is to alleviate worries about visa overstays, especially from countries with a long history of high visa overstay rates.
This 12-month pilot program is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to tighten immigration laws and enhance border security. It indicates stricter standards than the previous one-size-fits-all bond of $250. This requires defined implementation dates and detailed posting and refunding processes for the bond amounts.
Travelers affected by this new program need to come into and out of the U.S. through select ports of entry. These places are still to be revealed. This measure serves as a proactive way to monitor the movement of people from countries with high rates of visa overstays. It’s structured to respond really well to that. Finally, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than 320,000 people overstayed their legally issued visas in just 2019.
At most, 1% to 2% of nonimmigrant visitors historically overstayed their visas per year from 2016 to 2022. However, some nations present significant concerns. In fact, overstay rates in countries like Chad, Laos, and Haiti are 50%, 35%, and 31% respectively. Mexico leads here too, with the most total overstays, with about 49,000 people not leaving when they were supposed to. After Mexico come Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
The bond amounts are tiered at three levels: $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000, depending on the specific circumstances associated with the traveler’s country of origin. The program specifically focuses on countries lacking robust screening and vetting procedures. In addition, it hones in on those countries that have adopted CBIs whereby citizenship can be gained without any prior residency required.
The U.S. State Department should do this for a number of reasons. Its stated purpose is to improve adherence to visa conditions and mitigate the “overstay” danger. By mandating these bonds, legislators seek to generate a fiscal deterrent to discourage travelers from violating their visa terms.
More information about the pilot program was provided in an unpublished temporary final rule uploaded to the Federal Register. This report was made public on August 5, 2024. This report provides a detailed look at its structure and anticipated effects.