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EspanolQueens Attorney Says State Department Proposal Would Create a Wealth Test for Lawful Immigration
JACKSON HEIGHTS, N.Y. — A proposal by the U.S. State Department to require certain green card applicants to post a refundable bond of up to $100,000 could dramatically reshape legal immigration by making permanent residency unattainable for many lower-income applicants, according to New York immigration attorney Daniel S. Drucker.
The proposal would require selected applicants to post a financial bond before receiving an immigrant visa. The bond would be refundable if the individual complies with the program’s requirements, while family members could also post the bond on an applicant’s behalf.
Drucker says that while supporters argue the proposal is intended to ensure immigrants can support themselves financially, the practical effect would be to make lawful immigration significantly more difficult for applicants without substantial financial resources.
“This proposal effectively creates a wealth test for legal immigration,” said Drucker, founder of the Drucker Law Firm in Jackson Heights. “Many qualified immigrants who have followed the legal process simply do not have access to $100,000. Whether the money comes from the applicant or family members, the requirement could place permanent residency out of reach for countless families.”
The proposal comes as the Trump administration has pursued broader efforts to tighten legal immigration requirements, including increased scrutiny of applicants’ financial circumstances.
“If implemented, this policy would likely favor applicants with significant financial resources over those whose primary asset is their ability to work and contribute to the country,” Drucker said. “That’s a significant shift in how legal immigration has traditionally operated.”
Drucker, who has represented immigrants and families for decades, said he expects the proposal — if finalized — to generate legal challenges and raise broader questions about whether financial status should become a determining factor in obtaining lawful permanent residence.
