The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering requiring some foreign applicants for the "green card," which grants them permanent residency in the United States, to deposit a financial guarantee that could reach $100,000, to ensure they can support themselves after moving to the country.

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions on Wednesday, that the US State Department is developing the proposal as part of the administration's efforts to limit immigration of foreigners with limited financial means and ensure new immigrants do not rely on public assistance.

The proposal, which is still under discussion, focuses on immigrant visa applicants who apply through US consulates abroad to move permanently to the United States and obtain green cards after entering the country.

Variation in Guarantee Value

Some State Department officials have proposed setting the financial guarantee at $100,000, but its value may increase or decrease depending on the circumstances of each case, according to the sources.

Officials are considering implementing the idea on a trial basis for applicants from a limited number of countries before deciding whether to expand its scope.

Insiders familiar with the discussions suggested that the amount would be returned to the immigrant after obtaining US citizenship, a process that takes at least five years, and that a relative of the applicant could deposit the guarantee on their behalf.

The amount would be used as a guarantee if the green card holder moves to the United States and is later found unable to support themselves, but the newspaper did not clarify the cases that could lead to the confiscation of the amount or deduction of part of it.

State Department: Proof of Financial Ability

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that Trump "has made clear that those wishing to immigrate to the United States must be able to support themselves financially."

He explained that the department is exploring using existing authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act to require some visa applicants to post a financial guarantee "as a means of proving they have access to the funds necessary to support themselves."

The State Department typically issues about half a million immigrant visas annually, but the newspaper suggested the number could drop significantly this year.

These visas are mostly granted to relatives of US citizens, including spouses, parents, and siblings, while businesses use them to a lesser extent, usually bringing in employees on temporary work visas like H-1B and later sponsoring their green card applications.

Sharvar Dalal-Dini, head of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, suggested that the high guarantee amount could "deter many from applying for immigration."

She speculated that the purpose of these guarantees is "to exclude a certain category of immigrants," considering the system is turning into "a model that only those who can pay can enter, whether to visit the United States, reunite with their families, or seek a better life."

The proposal is expected to face criticism from immigrant rights advocates, as many who wish to move to the United States will not be able to afford this amount, even if it is refundable later.

Suspension of Applications from 75 Countries

The proposal follows the Trump administration's suspension, since January, of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, as part of efforts to restrict immigration of low-income individuals.

Under the suspension order, the State Department continues to receive and process immigration applications from citizens of the affected countries but does not issue final decisions on visa approvals.

The order does not include temporary visas, such as tourist and student visas, according to the US newspaper, which noted that officials are not expected to lift the suspension even if the financial guarantee proposal takes effect.

Previous Experience with Tourist Visas

The $100,000 proposal represents a significant expansion of a pilot program launched by the State Department in August last year, requiring some tourist visa applicants to deposit a refundable financial guarantee.

The program began with applicants from Malawi and Zambia, with amounts up to $15,000, and the amount is forfeited if the visa holder overstays their allowed period or applies for another legal status, such as asylum, after arrival. The list of included countries later expanded to 50, mostly in Africa.

The State Department said that about 97% of visa holders who posted financial guarantees did not overstay their legal period, but sources familiar with the program said the number of visas issued dropped sharply.

Department officials plan to expand the guarantee program in the future to include tourist visa applicants from all countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program.