Report: Trump administration considers $100,000 bonds for green card applicants to be repaid after citizenship

The Trump administration is weighing a proposal that would require some green card applicants to post a $100,000 bond, according to a New York Post report published July 17. The paper described the bond as a payment or financial guarantee tied to later naturalization rather than a fee, and said the bond would be designed to be repaid when applicants become U.S. citizens.

Under the reported approach, the practical effect would be to require green card applicants to put up funds upfront during an immigration process that can take years, while the bond would be held until the person reaches citizenship. The New York Post report said it could take at least five years to become a U.S. citizen, meaning the funds would likely be tied up for a similar period.

The report did not identify, in the information provided here, which specific immigration program or form the bond would attach to, nor did it specify whether the bond would apply to all lawful permanent resident applicants or only to particular categories. It also did not provide details on the circumstances under which the bond would be forfeited or released outside of citizenship.

A key stated feature described in the report is repayment. The New York Post said green card holders would likely get the bond back when they become U.S. citizens. If implemented as described, the policy would shift costs to applicants and create an additional financing step before the naturalization stage, while offering a financial backstop intended to be returned after completing the citizenship process.

Because the proposal is described as something the administration is weighing rather than as a finalized rule, it remains unclear whether the plan would require notice-and-comment rulemaking, internal agency guidance, or another legal mechanism to take effect. It is also unclear how the administration would calculate who qualifies, how the bond would be administered, and what documentation would be required to ensure repayment.

The report also did not specify whether other affected parties, such as employers, sponsors, or state and local stakeholders, would face administrative burdens tied to the bond requirement. In the event the administration moves beyond consideration, the next step would likely involve publication of policy details and legal and procedural implementation, including how the bond would be enforced and how applicants could challenge or seek adjustments under existing immigration processes.