Background on the Initiative
The U.S. Department of State recently announced a 12-month pilot project targeting foreign nationals applying for business or tourist visas. This initiative requires applicants from certain countries to pay a bail of up to $15,000 to enter the United States.
Context and Relevance
This new measure is part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to curb illegal immigration since his return to power in January. The 79-year-old Republican has implemented several stringent measures, including banning or restricting entry for citizens from 19 countries with predominantly African, Muslim majorities, or left-wing governments like Cuba and Venezuela. Additionally, he has blocked visa applications for some students.
Key Details of the Pilot Program
The pilot program, which will be published in the federal registry on Tuesday and take effect 15 days later, aims to ensure that visa applicants do not overstay their authorized stay in the U.S.
- Duration: The pilot project will last for 12 months.
- Visa Types: It applies to both business and tourist visas.
- Bail Amount: Applicants must pay a bail ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
- Refund Condition: Applicants will receive a full refund if they adhere to the rules and leave the country within the authorized period. The bail will be forfeited if they stay beyond the permitted time.
Target Countries
The program targets citizens of countries identified by the Department of State for having high rates of overstay or where information verification and control are deemed insufficient.
Data on Overstays
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) fiscal year 2023 report, there were approximately 565,000 cases of extended stays, accounting for 1.45% of the total visitors. This indicates that 98.55% of non-immigrant visitors left the U.S. within the terms of their admission.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this pilot program? The initiative aims to ensure that visa applicants adhere to the authorized duration of their stay in the U.S.
- Which countries are affected by this program? The Department of State has not disclosed the specific countries, but it targets those with high overstay rates or insufficient information verification controls.
- How much bail must applicants pay? Applicants will pay a bail between $5,000 and $15,000.
- What happens if an applicant overstays their authorized period? The applicant will forfeit the bail amount.
- How many visitors overstayed their welcome in 2023? According to the DHS, about 1.45% of visitors, or around 565,000 individuals, extended their stay beyond the authorized period.
