The Trump administration is nearly tripling the number of countries whose passport holders will be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. Less than a week after adding seven countries to the list of nations subject to visa bonds, bringing the total to 13, the State Department added 25 more. The bond requirement for the latest additions will take effect January 21. The move means that 38 countries, most of them in Africa but some in Latin America and Asia, are now on the list. It’s the latest effort by the Trump administration to tighten requirements for entry to the US, including requiring citizens from all countries that require visas to sit for in-person interviews and disclose years of social media histories as well as detailed accounts of their and their families’ previous travel and living arrangements. US officials have defended the bonds, which can range from $5,000 up to $15,000, maintaining they are effective in ensuring that citizens of targeted countries do not overstay their visas. Payment of the bond does not guarantee a visa will be granted, but the amount will be refunded if the visa is denied or when […]