Including Venezuela… America adds 25 more countries to its expensive visa bond policy

The administration of US President Donald Trump has included 25 other countries on the list of countries whose citizens can be asked to pay bonds worth up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States.

The list, which was published on the website of the US State Department, included mostly countries from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

A total of 38 countries as of Tuesday.

The ministry’s website stated that the policy for the newly added countries will come into effect on January 21.

Venezuela, whose president, Nicolas Maduro, was arrested by US forces at the weekend before being transferred to New York, was also added to the list.

The US State Department website said: “Any citizen traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries and who is found to be eligible to obtain a B1/B2 visa must pay a bond amounting to five thousand, ten thousand, or 15 thousand dollars,” adding that the amount is determined at the time of the visa interview.

The State Department said applicants must agree to the requirement to pay the bond through the US Treasury Department’s online payment platform, PaydotGov.

The State Department launched a pilot program in August that includes an initial list of countries.

The US government said that the bonds aim to deter visitors from overstaying their tourist or business visas.

Since taking office last January, Trump, a Republican, has pursued a tough immigration policy, including an aggressive deportation campaign, canceling visas and green cards, and examining social media posts and previous letters from immigrants.

Human rights groups have widely denounced Trump’s immigration and travel policies, saying they limit due process guarantees and freedom of expression.

Trump and his allies say that these policies seek to enhance homeland security.