Bangladesh, Aug. 6 -- In a move that underscores his administrations hardline stance on immigration, President Donald Trump has introduced a controversial new visa policy requiring certain foreign nationals to pay up to $15,000 as a security deposit for visiting the United States. The pilot program, announced through a notice in the Federal Register on August 5, is the latest addition to a series of restrictive immigration measures that have defined Trumps presidency. While the administration defends the initiative as a tool to curb visa overstays, critics warn it could harm international relations, tourism, and an already fragile economy.

Set to begin on August 20, the one-year pilot program gives US consular officers the discretion to ...