Critics are trying to paint President Trump’s visa bond policy as a direct attack on tourism – especially in places like Las Vegas.
But here’s the truth: the policy is about protecting our country, not chasing away tourists.
Under a 12-month pilot program announced by the State Department, visitors from a handful of countries with high rates of visa overstays may be asked to post a bond of $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for a U.S. tourist or business visa.
Let’s be clear: this does not apply to most travelers. It targets countries with poor internal security and weak travel document enforcement.
In fact, the U.S. Travel Association says only about 2,000 applicants might even be affected. That’s a tiny number compared to the millions of visitors who come here each year.
And it doesn’t touch travelers from visa waiver countries like the UK, Japan, or Germany.
Opponents, like Nevada Democrats Jacky Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Dina Titus, say this policy will “send a message” that international travelers aren’t welcome.
But that’s not true.
It sends a message that we expect visitors to follow the rules – and that we’re tired of people overstaying their welcome without consequences.
These bonds are refundable. If the visitor returns home when they’re supposed to, they get the money back.
That’s how bonds work in everyday life. You show up, you follow the rules, and you’re good to go.
If someone can’t afford the bond – or doesn’t want to risk losing it – then maybe they weren’t planning to follow the rules in the first place.
Some argue this will hurt the tourism economy, especially in Las Vegas.
Yes, international travel is down. According to the Clark County Department of Aviation, Harry Reid International Airport saw a 10% drop in international travelers in June.
But that decline started months before the visa bond plan was even announced.
The real problem? High inflation, global instability, and slow recoveries in other countries are making people travel less.
Blaming Trump’s pilot program for a trend that was already happening is dishonest.
And if we’re being honest, $15,000 might sound like a lot – but for most legitimate business travelers or tourists coming from wealthier countries, it’s not a deal-breaker.
And again, most of them won’t be asked to pay it at all.
The Department of Homeland Security has struggled with visa overstays for decades.
According to a 2020 DHS report, over 676,000 people overstayed their visas that year alone.
Many disappear into the system, creating problems for law enforcement, social services, and yes – even our labor market.
By requiring bonds for high-risk applicants, we’re putting teeth into our immigration policy. That protects both national security and the legal immigrants who followed the rules.
The U.S. Travel Association says they’re more concerned about a new $250 “visa integrity fee” passed by Congress.
That fee applies to all visa applicants – not just those from risky countries.
That’s a different issue, and it’s Congress’s doing – not the President’s.
If Senator Rosen and Representative Titus want to fight fees, maybe they should look in the mirror.
The visa bond pilot came from the executive branch, but the integrity fee was passed with bipartisan support, including from Democrats.
Yes, tourism is vital to Nevada’s economy. But so is law and order.
President Trump’s policy is narrowly targeted, temporary, and designed to make sure our visa system isn’t a free-for-all.
If it helps prevent just a few bad actors from slipping through, it’s worth it.
We can welcome visitors without giving up common sense. That’s what this is really about.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
