The Dominican Republic has become the first country in which the United States has launched a pilot program allowing it to require a bond from certain immigrant visa applicants considered at risk of becoming a "public charge. Photo by jackmac34!Pixabay
Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The Dominican Republic has become the first country in which the United States has launched a pilot program allowing it to require a bond from certain immigrant visa applicants considered at risk of becoming a "public charge," the State Department said.
The measure, in effect since Wednesday, will not apply to all applicants for permanent residence. The State Department said a consular officer will evaluate each case individually and decide whether to require a financial bond before continuing the visa process.
State Department Spanish-language spokeswoman Natalia Molano said in interviews with Dominican media that the Dominican Republic was selected to launch the program because of the volume of immigrant visas processed by the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. She added that the initiative could be expanded to other countries.
Consular officers may consider factors such as an applicant's age, health, family situation, income, assets, education and other financial, medical or judicial records to determine whether the person is at risk of becoming a public charge.
