SAN DIEGO, United States (CMC) – The California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) has strongly condemned the expansion of the United States (US) Visa Bond Programme, warning that it discriminatorily impacts Caribbean and other immigrants.

HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the policy requires certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to post financial bonds ranging from US$5,000 to US$20,000 as a condition of entry.

While presented as a visa compliance measure, Jozef said that the policy creates “a wealth-based barrier to lawful travel and raises serious concerns regarding fairness, transparency and discrimination”.