US may demand $15,000 deposit for visas

The United States may implement a $15,000 deposit requirement for foreign nationals from specific countries applying for tourist or business visas.

This 12-month pilot program aims to reduce visa overstays and address situations where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient, as stated in a notice published by the US Department of State. The notice does not specify which countries are covered under this pilot program.

The US administration has taken several measures to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda of curbing illegal immigration. Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to address this issue.

According to the state department notice, foreign nationals applying for temporary visitor visas for business or pleasure, who are from countries identified as having high visa overstay rates or deficient screening and vetting information, may be required to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance.

Since taking office, Trump has signed orders to roll back humanitarian programs for migrants from certain countries already in the US. The Republican president has also banned foreign nationals from 12 countries from traveling to the US and imposed partial restrictions on another seven.

His administration has revoked visas for hundreds of international students and detained several others on college campuses across the US, often without warning or recourse for appeals.

The state department has stated that it is targeting individuals involved in activities that “run counter” to US national interests.

Many of those targeted have participated in some form of pro-Palestinian activity.

But there have been other cases where cancellations appear to be connected to those with some sort of criminal record, or legal infractions like driving over the speed limit, immigration lawyers have said.