The Trump administration is reportedly considering a proposal that would require certain green card applicants applying from outside the United States to post a bond of up to $100,000.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposal is still being discussed within the US State Department and forms part of a broader effort to tighten legal immigration rules and ensure that new immigrants are financially self-sufficient.
If implemented, the policy would apply to some applicants seeking immigrant visas through US embassies and consulates abroad. Once such applicants enter the United States, they automatically receive lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as a green card.
Officials have reportedly discussed a bond of around $100,000, although the final amount could vary depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances.
The proposal comes amid several immigration-related measures introduced during President Donald Trump’s second term, including higher naturalisation fees, stricter green card processing rules and increased scrutiny of legal immigration pathways.
For Indians, who face one of the largest backlogs in the US employment-based green card system, the proposed bond could create additional financial and procedural uncertainty.
What Is the Proposed Green Card Bond?
The State Department is reportedly considering asking certain immigrant visa applicants to deposit a bond before being permitted to move to the United States.
The proposal is mainly being discussed for applicants completing their immigration process through US consulates outside the country.
Officials are also considering introducing the scheme as a pilot programme in a limited number of countries before deciding whether to expand it.
According to people familiar with the discussions, applicants may receive the money back only after becoming US citizens, a process that generally takes at least five years after obtaining permanent residency.
Family members may also be allowed to post the bond on behalf of applicants.
What Could It Mean for Indians?
The proposal could have a significant impact on Indian applicants, who form one of the largest groups waiting for employment-based green cards.
Many Indian professionals wait for several years, and sometimes decades, because of the per-country limits on employment-based immigrant visas.
If they are required to complete the final stage of green card processing from India and deposit a large bond, it could place a heavy financial burden on families already dealing with lengthy immigration delays.
The uncertainty comes even as thousands of Indians continue to become US citizens every year.
According to Department of Homeland Security data, 65,960 Indians acquired US citizenship in the 2022 financial year, followed by 59,100 in 2023 and 49,700 in 2024. India remained the second-largest source country for new American citizens despite the decline in numbers.
Part of a Wider Immigration Crackdown
The proposed bond is the latest in a series of measures aimed at tightening legal immigration.
The Department of Homeland Security has also proposed a sharp increase in naturalisation fees.
Under the proposal, the filing fee for Form N-400, used by green card holders applying for US citizenship, would increase from $760 to $1,330 for paper applications and from $710 to $1,280 for online applications.
The proposal would also remove certain reduced-fee options and fee waivers available to lower-income applicants.
The administration has also reportedly directed more temporary visa holders seeking permanent residency to leave the United States and complete their green card processing from their home countries instead of adjusting their status while remaining in the US.
Together, these measures reflect the administration’s broader “America First” immigration policy, with greater emphasis on financial self-sufficiency, stricter background checks and reduced legal immigration.
