Summary
The United States plans to start a program requiring some tourists and business travelers to pay up to $15,000 as a security bond to prevent visa overstays. The program targets visitors from countries with high rates of overstays and aims to encourage better identity checks and public safety measures.
Key Facts
- The U.S. will require up to $15,000 bonds for some B-1 and B-2 visas.
- The pilot program starts on August 20 and lasts for 12 months.
- It targets visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates, though the specific countries are not named.
- The State Department estimates the program could generate $20 million in a year.
- The program aims to encourage foreign governments to improve their screening processes for travelers.
- A similar initiative in 2020 was not fully implemented due to COVID-19.
- In the fiscal year 2023, there were 500,000 suspected visa overstays.
- Historical data shows that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than U.S. born citizens.
