State Department may require some travelers to post $15,000 bond for business or tourism visas
CBS1 day
US Proposes Visa Bonds for Some Foreign Visitors
Above: An American visa label. Image copyright: Alexander W Helin/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This visa bond program is a necessary diplomatic tool to address the hundreds of thousands of annual visa overstays that cost taxpayers billions and threaten national security. The bonds will encourage foreign governments to improve their screening processes and ensure that their citizens comply with U.S. immigration laws.
Democratic narrative
The bond requirement creates an insurmountable financial barrier for many legitimate travelers and, in doing so, will devastate the tourism industry, which contributes over $200 billion annually to the U.S. economy. This punitive measure also contradicts the administration's goal of reducing the trade deficit by deterring international visitors.