U.S. Considers $100,000 Bond for Green Card Applicants

The U.S. government is exploring a proposal that would require some Green Card applicants to pay a $100,000 bond. A Green Card allows immigrants to live and work permanently in the United States. The bond is meant to ensure that new residents can support themselves financially and do not rely on public assistance programs. Officials are looking at a long-standing legal authority in the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows such bonds. This idea follows earlier efforts to add fees for H-1B visa applications, which are temporary work visas for skilled workers. Supporters say similar bonds in pilot programs helped reduce the number of people who overstayed their visas. Critics of the plan argue that the high cost could block many immigrants from achieving permanent residency. The proposal is still being discussed, and no final decision has been made. If approved, it would apply only to certain applicants, not all. The move is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten immigration rules and ensure that immigrants do not become a financial burden on the country.