Trump's visa bond scheme deepens exclusionary policies

The recent expansion of the visa bond scheme by the Trump administration, which now includes seven additional countries, is a troubling development that reflects a broader pattern of exclusionary immigration policies. As noted in the article, nationals from countries like Bhutan, Botswana, and several others must now post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for visitor visas. This significant financial barrier is likely to deter legitimate travelers, including tourists and businesspeople, from visiting the United States, ultimately harming our economy and international relations. The program, which is framed as a targeted enforcement tool, raises serious concerns about fairness and accessibility. Immigration lawyers and travel agents have pointed out that the bond amounts are prohibitively high relative to average incomes in many of the affected countries. This means that even well-qualified applicants may be discouraged from applying due to the financial burden imposed upon them. The Trump administration's prioritization of combating visa overstays, while important, should not come at the expense of legitimate travel and the values of openness and inclusivity that America has long stood for. the lack of transparency regarding how many applicants will be affected by this expanded scheme is alarming. The discretion given to consular officers can lead to arbitrary decisions that disproportionately impact individuals from certain nations. This policy not only undermines the rule of law but also sends a message that the United States is closing its doors to those who wish to visit and contribute to our society. Such actions are detrimental to the democratic values we profess to uphold. https://www.thetraveler.org/us-widens-15-000-visa-bond-scheme-adding-seven-countries-and-stirring-backlash/