| Portland, Maine — The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) joins a growing national opposition to the U.S. Department of State’s newly announced B 1/B 2 visa bond pilot program requiring citizens of Malawi and Zambia to post bonds as a precondition for obtaining a visa. The program, which is set to begin on August 20, 2025, mandates the posting of refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a precondition for obtaining a temporary visitor or business visa, with bond amounts determined during the interview process. Though the current list is limited to those two countries, this decision is setting a precedent for further discrimination against travelers based solely on nationality, not individual circumstances or conduct. The State Department has made clear that additional countries may be added on a rolling basis—particularly those with so-called “vetting deficiencies” or citizenship by investment programs without residency requirements. “This bond requirement presents a substantial financial obstacle, particularly for our families in our immigrant communities who will need to travel during emergencies. It is disheartening to witness a continuous stream of adverse policies, especially when considering the existing travel bans imposed by President Trump’s earlier proclamation,” said Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of MIRC. MIRC joins the Haitian Bridge Alliance and the Zambian and Malawian communities in Maine and around the country, calling on the Trump administration to: 1. Immediately repeal the visa bond requirement for Malawi and Zambia. 2. Ensure transparency and equity: base visa policy on individual assessments, not nationality, race, or socioeconomic status. 3. Halt expansion to new countries—particularly those with populations of color that already face barriers to mobility. 4. Create immigration frameworks rooted in human dignity, family unity, and social justice. 5. Urge Congress to do its job by ensuring oversight. |