HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Trump administration is requiring bonds of up to $15,000 for visas for immigrants from certain countries under a new pilot program designed to safeguard security and prevent overstays.

The State Department on Tuesday announced the new Visa Bond Pilot Program in the Federal Register. It did not, however, list the countries that those required to post bonds will come from.

A State Department spokesperson told Border Report on Tuesday afternoon that citizens coming from Malawi and Zambia who are eligible for a business or tourist visa (B-1/B-2) will have to post a visa bond of up to $15,000 before the visa can be issued.

The other countries are expected to be named before Aug. 20 when the program begins.

The countries in the program have had high numbers of overstay rates, according to the notice. They also include countries where the visa vetting process and screening process is thought to be deficient, and/or where Citizenship by Investment is offered, meaning a person can get citizenship without having residency requirements, such as in the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.

“The pilot reinforces the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting America’s borders and safeguarding U.S. national security,” a State Department spokesperson told Border Report.

The bonds are only for visa applicants coming for tourism or business, according to the Federal Register. And the bond amounts can vary from $5,000 to $15,000.

During the year-long pilot program, only 2,000 visa applicants will be selected to put up the bonds, according to the State Department notice.

Selection will be based on personal circumstances, their reason for traveling to the United States, employment, education and income level and skill set, as well as foreign policy considerations.

“In line with an America First Foreign Policy, fully enforcing U.S. immigration laws bolsters American security, promotes lawful travel, and ensures foreign visitors depart the United States on time and in accordance with the terms of their visas,” a State Department spokesperson said. “The country list may be updated from time to time.”

Those who pay the bonds will get the money back if they leave the United States before their visa expires, however, interest will not be paid on the funds, the Federal Register notice says.

Countries that have had visitors with high overstay rates include: Mexico, Chad, Laos, Haiti, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, according to the Fiscal Year 2023 Entry/Exit Overstay Report by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In Fiscal 2023, over 565,000 people overstayed their visas, according to the report.

That included 26,995 Haitians and 21,064 Venezuelans — which was 31% of all visas issued from both countries, the report said. Nearly 20,000 Dominican Republicans overstayed their visa, as did 19,500 from Brazil and 11,400 from China, the report said.

Under the pilot program, the State Department will notify DHS of those who overstay visas and have paid a bond. They could be arrested and deported and they will not get back their bonds.

This is the first time such a visa bond program is being implemented.

A similar policy was about to take effect in 2019, during the previous Trump administration, but it was canceled when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, closing border entries and travel.

The State Department says this program is legal under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

However, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, on Tuesday condemned the program, calling it “legalized shakedown.”

CAIR officials say it’s a “wealth test” and a form of extortion that targets poorer nations, penalizes lawful travelers, and stigmatizes entire communities.

“This is not about national security, it’s about weaponizing immigration policy to extort vulnerable visitors, punish disfavored countries, and turn America’s welcome mat into a paywall,” CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said.

CAIR also criticized the program for allowing wide discretion among U.S. consulate and embassies and questions how it will be held accountable.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.