The Trump administration is considering massive cash bonds for green card applicants to prove they will not rely on government aid.
Imagine saving for years to join your family in America, only to find out you need a house-sized cash deposit just to cross the border. This is the reality facing thousands of families as the government looks to put a massive price tag on the American dream.
WHAT HAPPENED
The US government is looking at a new plan for people who want to move to the country. Officials want some green card applicants to pay a $100,000 bond.
The government would hold this cash for at least five years. If the immigrant becomes a citizen, they would get the money back. Relatives in the US could also pay the bond to help.
This plan builds on an older program that started in August 2025. That program forced tourists from some nations to pay up to $15,000 to visit. The tourist program has now expanded to 50 countries.
FACT BOX
- $100,000: The proposed bond amount for some green card applicants.
- 5 years: The minimum wait time to become a citizen and get the money back.
- 50: The number of countries in the tourist visa bond pilot program.
- August 2025: The start date of the initial tourist visa bond program.
- $15,000: The maximum tourist bond fee used in the pilot program.
WHY IT MATTERS
Immigration advocates say this plan creates a system where only rich people can move to the US. Families who have worked for years to reunite could be kept apart simply because they do not have $100,000 in cash.
The administration says the goal is to make sure new arrivals can support themselves. They want to protect taxpayer money and ensure that immigrants do not rely on public programs like food stamps.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The State Department is currently looking at how to start this program under existing laws. At the same time, the government has brought back the "public charge" rule to block green cards for people who might use government aid.
Advocates are expected to fight these changes in court. They argue the rules are unfair and hurt families who are trying to build a better life.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Which specific countries will face the $100,000 bond requirement first?
- How will the government decide who has to pay the bond and who does not?
- Will the government pay interest on the money they hold for five or more years?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 17, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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