The US visa bond pilot may require selected prospective immigrants to post bonds reaching $250,000 before receiving immigrant visas.
According to Punch, citing a report by the Washington Free Beacon and information from the US Department of State, the programme initially covers certain applicants processed in the Dominican Republic.
The policy applies to selected immigrant visa applicants who were previously found ineligible. This happened because consular officers believed they might become dependent on government-funded assistance.
Under the programme, such applicants may receive another opportunity. They can then prove that they have enough financial support to live in the United States without becoming a public charge.
Consular officers will assess each applicant separately before deciding whether to recommend a bond and determining the required amount.
Some cases being processed under the pilot involve bonds of $100,000 or $250,000, according to information attributed to the State Department.
However, the amount will depend on the applicant’s circumstances. The policy does not impose a fixed $250,000 payment on every prospective immigrant.
What the US visa bond pilot means
The State Department said the programme uses an existing legal provision under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The law allows certain applicants found ineligible on public charge grounds to overcome the refusal. They can do this by providing sufficient evidence or posting an approved bond.
A public charge generally refers to someone considered likely to become primarily dependent on government support after entering the United States.
Consular officers may consider an applicant’s age, health, family situation, financial position, education and professional skills.
They may also examine whether the applicant has enough resources to cover living expenses and possible medical costs.
The State Department said the bond provides an additional option for applicants who can demonstrate that they have access to funds needed to support themselves.
If the bond application receives approval and the applicant meets all other requirements, the consular officer may issue the previously denied immigrant visa.
Applicants should not independently pay any bond. Those selected for the programme will receive instructions from a consular officer.
Dominican Republic selected for pilot
The Dominican Republic was selected for the first stage because of the size and scope of immigrant visa operations at the US Embassy in Santo Domingo.
The programme will initially cover only certain applications rather than every immigrant visa case handled by the embassy.
US officials have indicated that the initiative could later expand to other countries. However, no additional countries have been formally announced.
The State Department said, “Immigrating to the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
Officials maintained that prospective immigrants should show that they can contribute to the country. They should not place additional pressure on publicly funded assistance programmes.
The department said the measure would protect public benefits from expenses linked to immigrants who arrive with major medical or financial needs.
How applicants could recover the bond
US Citizenship and Immigration Services will determine whether a public charge bond has been breached or can be cancelled.
The person or organisation that posts the bond may later recover the money if the immigrant complies with the conditions attached to it.
A request for cancellation may be considered after the fifth anniversary of the immigrant’s admission to the United States.
The immigrant must not have received public cash assistance for income maintenance or long-term institutional care funded by the government during that period.
USCIS will review the case before deciding whether the conditions have been fulfilled and whether the bond should be returned.
If the terms are breached, the person who posted the money may lose part or all of the bond.
Policy differs from $20,000 visitor visa bond
The new immigrant visa pilot is separate from the recently expanded bond programme for certain business and tourist visa applicants.
Under the separate policy, consular officers may require selected B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries to post bonds of up to $20,000.
Nigeria is among the countries covered by that non-immigrant visa programme. This programme aims to discourage travellers from remaining in the United States beyond their authorised period.
Applicants who follow their visa conditions and leave on time may recover the money. Those who overstay or breach the rules risk forfeiting it.
The new six-figure bonds, however, concern selected people seeking permanent immigration who were previously refused because of public charge concerns.
The State Department has not announced that Nigerian immigrant visa applicants are currently included in the $250,000 pilot.
