US Expands Visa Bond Program to 50 Countries
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
The visa bond program is a classic example of smart border enforcement. The policy has been an unmitigated success, with 97% of bonded travelers returning home on time, compared to the 44,000 overstays from these same countries in Biden's last year. Expanding it to 50 nations will not only keep Americans safe but also save taxpayers up to $800 million a year that would otherwise have to fund removals.
Anti-Trump narrative
Slapping a $15,000 bond on tourists from an ever-growing list of countries is a surefire way to kill the U.S. tourist industry and deepen the Trump Slump already hammering the economy. Legitimate visitors — the kind who spend money and boost local businesses — will ultimately choose other destinations instead, punishing law-abiding travelers and doing far more economic damage than it prevents in the process.